Elsie Mae Tedford

Elsie Mae Tedford of Chester, MD, died Friday June 3, 2016, at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD. She was 84. Born on July 2, 1931, on the family farm in Middle Creek Township, NC, she was the daughter of the late Simon and Elizabeth (Rowland) Stephens. She graduated from Garner Senior High School and lived with her family until marrying Wilbur Tedford in 1953. An Air Force serviceman’s wife, Elsie travelled to various locations in the US and even lived in Italy for two years, shortly after the birth of her first child, Teresa. Upon settling on Kent Island near Wilbur’s family, she soon had her second child, David. While raising children, Elsie also worked full-time for Sparks Oil Company in Chester as a bookkeeper. At home, Elsie loved to garden and did so each year, diligently preparing fresh foods for all who walked through her door. She grew and loved many types of flowers as well. She imparted much wisdom to her children and grandchildren in the arts of growing, saving, and preparing nuts, vegetables, and fruits. Her abilities and the lessons she diligently taught transcended the physical realm, often entering the spiritual as she earnestly tied her knowledge of how to grow plants to how to grow people. Elsie’s greatest fruits were for the Lord Jesus Christ. She did her best to lead a faithful life of service to the King. Elsie is remembered as a woman who willingly lent a hand to anyone in need, great or small, and one whose lips spoke the name of Jesus frequently. She shared her love for Jesus Christ and his saving grace with family, friends, and strangers alike. She has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Kent Island since its beginning, and faithfully served her church body in countless ways for many decades. Elsie is survived by her loving husband, Wilber George Tedford of Chester, MD; daughter, Teresa Ellen Rainey (Frank) of Stevensville, MD; son, David Allen Tedford (Jo-Anne) of Chester, MD; eight grandchildren, Sarah Whitby, Amy Waskey, Jessica Bailey, Adam Tedford, Kimberly Rainey, Abby Dallaire and Aaron and Joshua Rainey; and five great-grandchildren, Jack and Emma Whitby, Joel Dallaire, Amos Tedford, and Jacob Dallaire; a brother, John Thomas Stephens (Betty Sue) of Raleigh, NC; and sisters Annie Lou Groth of Spokane, WA, and Peggy Jones of Raleigh, NC. In addition to her parents, Elsie was predeceased by her brothers, Bland, Mills and Joseph Stevens; and sisters Hazel Austin and Gwendolyn Parish. A visitation will be held on Wednesday June 8, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Chester, MD. A service will be on Thursday June 9, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Stevensville, MD. Burial will be in the Stevensville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Baptist Church of Kent Island.

Elsie Mae Tedford

July 2, 1931 - June 3, 2016