Laura Edington Wakefield
Laura Ellen Edington Wakefield, age 85, of Atlanta, died peacefully on January 6, 2019, in hospice care near her home.
Laura, the daughter of Judge David Henry Edington and Laura Cornelia Owen Edington, was born in Mobile, AL, raised as a member of Central Presbyterian Church, and in 1955 graduated Southwestern at Memphis (“Rhodes College”) with a B.A. in English. In 1956, she married the love of her life, Francis “Frank” B. Wakefield III, and the two would later explore the eastern half of the country while raising three boys, as Frank, an employee of International Paper Company, was transferred to mills in Moss Point, MS and Ticonderoga, NY, and eventually to the New York office with the family living in New Canaan, CT. Laura’s sense of decorum and beautiful Mobile accent are remembered to this day in all points north.
Their life adventure continued when Laura and Frank retired in 1985 to a beautiful home Laura designed that overlooks The Intracoastal Waterway in Hampstead NC, where they enjoyed Frank’s boat “The Lady Laura” for many a cocktail cruise with friends and family. Still, Laura found time to chair the architectural committee and lead the design effort to establish Holy Trinity Hampstead Episcopal Church. The two eventually moved to Atlanta where they enjoyed their church, their family, and the arts for many years and continued their passion for travel overseas on numerous trips.
Laura is survived by Frank, her loving husband of 62 years; children Frank D. Wakefield and Pam Wakefield, Michael S. Wakefield and Rebecca Mick, and Bryan E. Wakefield; grandchildren Bryan J. Wakefield and Erica Bittner, Michelle and Michael Rushing, Laura and Derek Parsons, Benjamin Wakefield, and Daniel Wakefield; and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Robert S. Edington and Patricia Edington and several cousins, nephews and nieces.
Services will be held in Atlanta at Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, Saturday, January 26 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Innocents Episcopal Church.
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Frank,
I’m so sorry for your loss!
My love and condolences to you Bryan, and you r whole family. Wishing for you all, the peace that passes understanding.
Mr. Wakefield, Frank, Mike, and dear Bryan – thoughts are with you all. Mrs. Wakefield will always be with you and with those of us lucky enough to know and love you and your beautiful family.
I would have loved to have known her.
My deepest sympathy to the Family.
Charlie Green
Loving memories with a beautiful lady,my deepest sympathy to all who loved her!
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Frank, I was so distressed to hear of Laura’s passing. As you know, my connections with the Wakefield and Edington families go back more than sixty years, not only at IPCo., but All Saints Episcopal and Springhill Presbyterian Churches. And they are all such pleasant and treasured memories. My love, prayers and deepest sympathies to you and your sons and their families. Wes Ellis
P.S. I’m still playing the organ (at Emmanuel Episcopal, Opelika) every Sunday. Will be 92 in April.
What an apt name for your family boat because your mother sure looks like the epitome of a perfect lady. She is very sharp and classy and what fine sons she raised. My loving prayers and heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Wakefield, to Frank and family and Michael and family and to Bryan and family. M. Virginia LaPointe Southworth
Just learned of Laura’s passing and we are so very sorry to hear it. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.