Edith Houghton Obituary

Edith Cunningham Houghton

April 4, 1936 - July 4, 2025

Edith Houghton passed away peacefully on July 4, 2025.

Born on April 4, 1936, Edith was the ninth of ten children of the late Edith and Ellis Cunningham of Culpeper County. After graduating high school, Edith wed Dr. John E. Houghton and began a rich and rewarding life of service in faith alongside Dr. Houghton as he pastored churches in Culpeper, Fauquier, Dinwiddie, Richmond, and Lancaster counties, including Kilmarnock Baptist Church for 35 years.

Edith served the church in many roles over the years as a Sunday School worker, in the Women's Mission Union, and as a Deacon. Perhaps her most lasting contribution and influence came with sharing her musical talent as church pianist and organist, lifting the spirits of her congregation and the community with the joy of musical worship, and passing on her love of music to younger generations.

In addition to her church and community service, Edith was a retired teller of Bank of Lancaster, had served as a bookkeeper for the Kilmarnock Animal Hospital, and for a number of years had taught piano lessons in her home. After retirement, she served part time at Currie Funeral Home as an accompanist, greeter, and administrative assistant. She was honored in 1976 as the outstanding Young Woman by the local Junior Women's club.

Along with their faith, the love and support of family was a cornerstone of Edith and John's life together. Whether classmates, teammates, shipmates, or colleagues from across the country, Edith warmly welcomed her children's friends and later their spouses and families into both her heart and her home. She rejoiced in the lives of her grandchildren and felt most blessed when her "tribe" was gathered around the table in family communion.

Edith also loved sharing the bounty of their extensive garden and orchard, delighting guests with the wonder of butter beans, homemade peach ice-cream, canned tomatoes, fruit jams, and, for many, a first taste of watermelon rind pickle. She was a gifted baker, and family meals and church and community gatherings were always more special when they included Edith's yeast rolls or one of her many special cakes or pies.

Edith is survived by three sons: Mark (Therese) of Fredericksburg, Paul (Dianne) of Arlington, and Micah (Laura) of Richmond; two grandchildren Timothy and Charlotte Houghton. She is also survived by her brother Kenneth Cunningham (Mary Ann). She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. John E. Houghton, and her daughter, Nancy Kimberly Pontillo.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 26 at Kilmarnock Baptist Church, Kilmarnock, Virginia, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery. There will be a visitation on Friday, July 25 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Currie Funeral Home, 116 E. Church Street, Kilmarnock.

Those who wish to make a memorial gift are asked to consider a contribution to the Kilmarnock Baptist Church or the Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Foundation.