Edith (Rounsavell) Costner

Edith (Rounsavell) Costner departed this life peacefully in her home on December 1, 2021. Edith was born in Chandler on May 16, 1923, to Gaynelle (Popplewell) and V.K. (“Shorty”) Rounsavell. She attended Chandler schools and graduated with the “Class of ’41 (War Years)”. On September 4th, 1941, Edith married Obie C. Costner of Sparks, OK. They were married for 71 years until Obie’s death in 2013. Though Edith described herself as a “kept woman” who did not have to work outside the home, in reality she was a busy homemaker who also answered the phone (this was before cell phones) and did the bookkeeping for Obie’s electrician business that served Chandler for 50+ years. Throughout her 98 years, Edith enjoyed being active in her Chandler community. She was a life long member of the First Christian Church. Edith was a past President (1965) of Patches Club (one of Chandler’s oldest civic service organizations) and an active member for 40+ years until it disbanded in 1995. She spent countless hours knitting and sewing toys and clothing, and working in the thrift store to raise money for Patches projects. She was especially proud of the Patches Club restoration of the old steps (which she remembered using as a young girl) from Price Avenue down the bluff to Tilghman Park. Edith was also past President of Jr. Mothers Club and a 50+ year member of The Eastern Star 159. Edith loved connecting with her friends and family. For decades she met most days with the “coffee bunch” to catch up on what was going on with their lives and around town. Throughout the years she enjoyed playing cards and bingo, and in recent years loved a good Skip-Bo game (even during the October 2020 power outage, by candlelight). Edith was preceded in death by her parents, husband Obie, daughter Linda Costner Melton (deceased 1984), sister Ruby Rounsavell Firsching, & brother Leo Rounsavell. She is survived by her son Gary Costner of Oklahoma City; son-in-law Harold Melton of Pineville, MO; five grandchildren, Marjorie Melton of Rogers, AR; Martha Melton Gammon of Bentonville, AR; Mary Melton Cook of Fayetteville, AR; Lisa Costner of Midwest City; David Costner of Chandler; and five great grandchildren, as well as a host of other family members and friends. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Cancer Society or Chandler First Christian Church.