Edna Marlene Faught was born on December 7, 1941, to Richard Thaxter (Bob) Faught and Susie Edna Damron, in their home in Eldorado, Texas. As the Japanese launched their attack on Pearl Harbor, an inspirational life of love, compassion, and service had just begun.

The Faughts lived on 320 acres of farmland southwest of Eldorado. They worked hard, planting cotton and grain, raising sheep, laboring in the oilfield, driving the school bus, and offering laundry services.

The farm predated herbicides, and clearing weeds by hand was hard work, especially for small children. Edna's parents worked quickly from years of practice, and every so often, part of her row would mysteriously be weeded—her parents having doubled back to help. Edna coined this gesture, "hoeing a skip in your row," a principle of quiet kindness that she lived by and passed on tenfold throughout her life.

Edna attended Eldorado High School, where she graduated as valedictorian in 1960. She continued her education at San Angelo College and Texas Tech University, graduating with honors in 1964.

She knew James Baethge, a handsome rancher from Doss, Texas, from his visits to Eldorado Primitive Baptist Church throughout her childhood and adolescence. She often claimed that she "knew she would marry him someday the first time she saw him." They were married on June 27, 1964, and started their life together on James' family ranch.

Edna and James were blessed with 42 wonderful years together. They ranched cattle, sheep, and goats, baled hay, birthed calves, built fences, harvested pecans, and hosted hunters. No job was ever too dirty or challenging for Edna.

When she wasn't ranching, Edna managed the books at the Old Bank Mall and taught English at Harper ISD. Her garden was always abundant, and you would often find her guiding fabric through her sewing machine. She was a celebrated seamstress who approached her craft the way she approached everything: with heart, talent, and a commitment to doing things "the right way."

She was an active member of her community: serving on the Doss School Board, holding roles in the Doss Community Club, directing plays for the Doss Fair, supporting the annual Doss VFD Fish Fry, advising Gillespie County 4H, working with the Doss Boy Scouts, and worshipping faithfully at Squaw Creek Primitive Baptist Church.

Edna's husband James was taken by cancer in 2006 in the family home. She was his caretaker and never left his side.

Years later, she was reacquainted with an old church friend, Norman Miller. Their friendship grew into love, and after months of courtship, Norm and Edna were married on September 12, 2009. She often said, "Few people find one special person in life, but God has blessed me with two."

Norm showed Edna the world, taking her on cruises to Alaska, trips to Europe, and many beautiful places within the continental United States. When she returned from her travels, she would gush about the things she experienced, sharing anecdotes like how she once horrified a Maître d by requesting ketchup on escargot.

Norm and Edna loved traveling the world, but they also made a loving home in Doss. They worked in their wood shop, attended the grandchildren's school events, and faithfully served our Creator.

Edna is survived by her husband, Norm Miller; her son Michael and his wife, Veronica; her son Bradley; her granddaughters Bailey and her husband, Brian Selman; Taylor and her husband,

Lane Fajkus; Kendall and her husband, Conner Pepper; Kamrynn; Karsann; and her great-grandson, Thax Pepper.

Edna's life was guided by faith, love, and service, virtues beautifully captured in Proverbs 31 (KJV):

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

— Proverbs 31:10, 25–27, 30–31 (King James Version)

Memorial contributions may be made to Methodist Hill Country Hospice, Squaw Creek Primitive Baptist Church, or the charity of one's choice