Eda B. Kelsea

GREENBRIER, TENN.-- Mrs. Eda B. Kelsea, 92, of Greenbrier, Tenn., and formerly of Queensbury, NY, and Colebrook, NH, passed away at her daughter, Christine’s, home in Tennessee on Thursday, September 1, 2011. She was born a twin on April 15, 1919, in Stewartstown, NH. She was the daughter of Stella (Brainard) Knights and John Knights of Colebrook, NH. She had three siblings who all pre-deceased her, Ida (her twin), Geneva Mulliken, and Willard Knights. Eda attended grade school at Cedar Brook in Stewartstown and high school at Colebrook Academy in Colebrook. She was married to Clark Jeffers from 1939-1943, and they had two children, Shirla Furgerson, and Cecil who died in 1941. She married Wesley Kelsea in March, 1948. They had three children, Evelyn Kelsea of Queensbury, NY, Christine Lovell of Greenbrier, Tenn., and Edward who died in 1951. They lived and worked on the James Kelsea family farm in Columbia from 1948-58. Eda worked along with the men to keep the rare round barn and animals in the best possible condition. Due to Wesley’s declining health, they moved to Bloomfield, Vt., in 1958, and then purchased the Spaulding House in Colebrook. Later in life, they purchased a trailer and moved up the street to Boudle’s Trailer Park where she continued to live for 3 years after Wesley’s death in 1993. In 1996, Eda decided to join her daughter, Evelyn, at her home in NY. Because of declining health, she moved to Christine’s home in Tennessee in Jan., 2011. Eda was an amazing gardener and a housekeeper who kept the cleanest house anywhere she ever lived. She worked at Howard’s Restaurant in Colebrook for 45 years, as did her mother. She cultivated a large garden behind Pearl Gray’s home, and shared the results with many families in Colebrook for many years. She raised and sold the most beautiful gladiolas in the North Country. The local newspaper published an interview and took pictures of her garden. She had a raspberry patch and made jam while Wesley used the berries to make pies. He did the cooking and baking and Eda provided the fresh vegetables and berries, not only from her patch, but from the most sacred, secret places in northern New Hampshire during blueberry and raspberry season. Many benefited from Wesley’s and Eda’s generosity, both on the farm and while they lived in Colebrook. Eda also provided wonderful craft projects every year for friends and family for Christmas and birthdays. She was a seamstress and made clothes for the grandchildren when they were small. She had a natural talent for painting and drawing pictures, both of which she enjoyed and were used to decorate her children’s homes. With all this, she still took care of Wesley who was very ill most of their married life. She sat with him constantly during his many hospitalizations. After Wesley’s death, she visited her daughters in Florida. She enjoyed the beaches, shopping, and eating out. She went to Sea World and Disney World where she got to become a child again. She thoroughly enjoyed those trips, as she got to watch her five grandchildren (Kathy, Darcy, and Krista, Amy, and James) grow into adults. Eda is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Memorial calling hours will be held on Friday, September 23, 2011, from 9-11 a.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, NH, to be followed immediately by a graveside committal service at 11 a.m. at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. The Rev. Rick Boyden will officiate. Expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Kelsea's memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Eda B. Kelsea

April 15, 1919 - September 1, 2011