Edith Lavern Roye was born January 28, 1924, in Stigler, Oklahoma to the late George Dewey and Linnie Dore (Gilstrap) Folsom. At the age of 101, she passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Ashland, Virginia on February 19, 2025.
Edith grew up on a family farm in Haskell County in eastern Oklahoma. She was proud of her Choctaw heritage and made sure that her children were registered members of the Choctaw Nation. Her future husband fell in love at first sight when he saw her singing gospel music in Choctaw with her father’s quartet. Edith started her college education at Connors State College aided by Choctaw scholarship funds. In 1944, Edith married Lt. David Price Roye. Together they raised five children while traveling the world as a US Army family. She loved the experiences and learning opportunities afforded by living in places like Japan, France, and Germany.
After retiring from military life, the family settled in Virginia, where Edith became a beloved teacher of French and World History at Caroline High School in Milford. Throughout her long, well-lived life, she shared her acute intellect, passion for learning, and love of books and languages with her students, family, and friends. Edith believed fervently in the power of words and the importance of shared stories. Her love of both teaching and life-long learning is manifest in the family she leaves behind.
Edith’s living legacy of love, learning, and memories includes her children: David Price Roye, Jr., and wife Carol Roye; Linda Carol Alvey; Margaret Roye Genkins and husband Steve Genkins; Mary Louise Price and husband Bill Price; her grandchildren: Ben Roye and wife Kristin; Katy Gipstein and husband Steve; Seth Roye and wife Anjali; Erin Simpson and husband Michael; Emily Franquin and husband Pierre; Elena Roye; Garland Alvey and wife Melissa; Michelle Alvey; Daniel Genkins and wife Elise Russo; Julian Genkins; Andrew Price and wife Shayna Heron; and Caroline Price and husband Matt Dering; and her seventeen great-grandchildren. Edith was preceded in death by her beloved husband Colonel David P. Roye, US Army Ret.; their youngest daughter, Judith E. Roye; Edith’s sisters Maxine, Louella, and Carolyn and brothers Robert, John, Kee, Frank, and Jesse; and her parents.
In lieu of flowers or other gestures of remembrance, we encourage you to donate in memory of Edith to the Chahta Foundation to help empower the next generation of Choctaws through education. Visit chahtafoundation.com/donate/ or call 580-642-8673.
Obituary provided by Affinity Funeral Service.