Edith Irene (Toye) Walker, April 19, 1929 - January 7, 2021.

Edith Irene Toye was the youngest daughter born of the union of Clarence Eugene Toye and Martha Lanai Owens in Aquasco, Maryland.  Edith received her education through the Charles County public school system. She graduated from Pomonkey High School in 1947.  She is a proud member of the Pomonkey High School Alumni Association.

After graduation, Edith followed her sister, Bernice, to New York City where she met and married Sims Summerlin Walker, Sr. from Augusta, Georgia. Sims was in the Army due to the draft and then enlisted into the new Air Force; from their union they had three children, Sims Jr., Gail, and Dyrral.

Edith's life as a military wife began with loads of traveling to follow.  Sims, Jr. and Gail were both born in New York City. Edith soon found herself and family in San Angelo, Texas at Goodfellow Air Force Base. That was the first of many stops which included Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan and Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota where Dyrral was born.

Edith's husband of 18 years died in 1965 at Clark Air Base, Philippines.  Edith returned to Charles County, Maryland in 1966.  Edith attended a school to master secretarial office skills, often required at that time to find a job. Edith was already an accomplished seamstress and tailor. She could sew and create anything from drapes and slipcovers to evening ball gowns, all she needed was the material and the measurements. Edith applied for employment at the Naval Ordnance Station, Indian Head, Maryland, where she remained until her retirement as an Administrative Assistant in 1985.

Edith's second adventure began as she, with her dear companion McClain Lavette, opened an Antique shoppe called "Second Chance," a place containing gently used, as well as antique furniture, located at the farmers market in Mechanicsville, Maryland.  The shoppe was a meeting and greeting place for many family members and friends.  They travelled the mid-Atlantic states looking for deals and bargains, often to
return with more stories than merchandise. They closed the store in 1995.  Edith turned her attention towards her grandchildren, at that time there were 3, Summerlin, Autumn, and McClain. Sydney joined the group in 1999. There were many holidays, summer vacations, weddings, births of great-grandchildren, outdoor bar-b-ques, meals and just family get together visits enjoyed by many.  In 2019, Edith celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends.  As Edith matured she joined the Clark Senior Center in LaPlata where she made many friends as she continued to socialize and exercise her way to better health.

On January 7, 2021, Edith transitioned to God. Edith was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Martha Toye, sisters, Mrs. Mable Whalen, Mrs. Lucille Chapman, and Mrs. Bernice Wong. She leaves behind to mourn, her 3 children, Sims (Aletha), Gail, and Dyrral Walker, brother, Robert (Margaret) Toye, grandchildren, Summerlin Walker, Autumn (Patrick) Jenkins, McClain (Matthew) Martorella, and Sydney Walker, three great-grandchildren, Carmen Martorella, Amillion and Amarrion Jenkins, many nieces and nephews, as well as a host of other life long dear friends. She will be laid to rest near her parents at Saint Mary's Catholic Church Bryantown, Maryland.

Her Viewing will be 10:00 am until 1:00 pm, Friday, February 12, 2021 in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.