Edith Lee Roby Edwards, the Kudzu Queen, 98, of Harris community

Edith Lee Roby Edwards, the Kudzu Queen, 98, of Harris community passed away Sunday, September 9, 2025.

Edith was born in 1926 in Olney, MD, grew up in Fairland. Her outgoing personality was formed by travelling with her father, O. W. Roby, throughout Montgomery County. Her mother Dena Aitcheson Roby attended Maryland State Normal School and taught from 1906-1919; she was supportive of Edith attending same, now Towson University in Baltimore. Edith worked in banking until she met Henry Edwards.

They started a Holstein dairy farm in 1961 and experienced droughts right away. Kudzu saved the dairy from going broke and thus was born the Kudzu Cow Farm. From 1975 to 1983 she served on the Rutherford County Involvement Council and was Chair; she was awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine in 1983.

She experimented; and educated thousands across the South on the valuable attributes of the kudzu plant. Edith gave presentations everywhere including the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, TN. The Edwards baled kudzu hay and made kudzu silage for their Holstein dairy cows throughout the 60's and 70's.

Edith was active with the Griffith Rutherford Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the NC Farm Bureau Women's Committee, the NC Soil & Water Conservation District Auxiliary, and First United Methodist Church of Rutherfordton, and many other groups.

She is survived by daughter Caroline Edwards (Greg Beam); grandson Stuart Beam (Natalie), great granddaughter Josie Beam; grandson William Beam (Hannah); son Duncan (Mary), all of Rutherford County; sister-in-law Billie Edwards of Gloucester, VA; nieces Flo Parrish of Springfield OR, Suzanne R. Montgomery of Taylors SC, Eve R. Glezen of Woodbine MD; nephews Clay Rouse of Honea Path SC and Gary Moneypenny of Spartanburg SC; cousins Nancy E. Pond of Silver Spring MD, Mary E. Freeman of Seneca SC; many great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

She was predeceased by husband Henry, an infant daughter Carol Lee, brother Thomas Roby and sister Jean R. Appel.

The Celebration of Life was held September 14 at First United Methodist Church of Rutherfordton.

In lieu of flowers donations may be to Foothills Conservancy of NC PO Box 3023, Morganton, NC 28680 or at FoothillsConservancy.org; First United Methodist Church, 264 N. Main St., Rutherfordton, NC 28139 or at FUMCRutherfordton.org; Check to Griffith Rutherford Chapter NSDAR, mail to Diane Nanney, 419 Nanneytown Rd., Union Mills, NC 28167.

Washburn & Dorsey Funeral & Cremation Service oversees arrangements; found online at WashburnDorsey.com.