Vesta Eugenia (Gene) Edgerton Fayssoux

Eugenia (Gene) Fayssoux, born in Meridian, Mississippi on October 15, 1929, was the daughter of Vesta and Tracy Edgerton of Asheville, North Carolina. From an early age, Gene demonstrated a life-long passion for beauty, particularly in gardening, plant care, and flower arranging. She worked as a plant care specialist in many high-end commercial establishments, ensuring their environments were warm and welcoming with abundant living green plants.

She met Richard (Dick) Fayssoux in high school in 1940 at the age of thirteen at the swimming pool at Christ School in Arden, NC and they immediately fell for each other. Gene and Dick married on January 18, 1947 and thus began their partnership of 52 years together. Richard, who passed over November 13, 2009, and Gene are survived by three children, Tracy Eugenia Fayssoux Bernstein and husband Ron of San Diego, CA, Richard (Rick) Fayssoux III and wife Georgene of Aberdeen, NC, and James (Jim) Edgerton Fayssoux of Fletcher, NC. Gene has five grandchildren, Jane Malone; Jon, Sumlee, Claire and Marie Fayssoux and two great-grandchildren, Arriana and Waylon. She is also survived by brother-in-law Richard Boles and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Gene and Dick were founding members of All Saints Episcopal Church, founded in 1959, in Greensboro, NC. Gene was the last surviving founder until her passing. Gene served as Director of the Altar Guild for many years. For almost 60 years her love of plants and flowers extended to her community service at the church through her dedication to creating the flower arrangements and performing other guild duties.

Gene had an adventurous side as well: traveling around the world exploring far off places. She and Dick visited all seven continents. Dick and Gene were part of a flying club where they flew their beloved Whiskey, a Cherokee Piper Six, on many adventures. On July 3, 1982, while on a trip in the Bahamas, they made an emergency crash landing on an island controlled by a drug cartel. They survived with serious injuries, but Whiskey, sadly, was no more. Their adventure became part of a bigger story of a sting operation conducted jointly by the US FBI and Bahamian government. Decades later, Gene and Dick revisited the crash site and recovered evidence of Whiskey and contributed their story to a documentary.

She had a long and fulfilling relationship with Christ School of Arden, NC where both of her boys attended high school. She was active in alumni day events, sporting events, and fund-raising events for close to fifty years. The school sports field, bears the name Fayssoux Field in honor of Gene’s father in-law, Richard (Fessor) Fayssoux.

In later years, Gene spent much of her time with family and her beloved pets, Tara, Tory, Quinn, and Malibu. There was always a golden retriever around for companionship and love. Her effervescent and indomitable zest for life and her uniquely positive perspective were appreciated by all. Her kindness and giving instinct were part of her gift to her family and friends. The twinkle in her eyes and bright smile shone through in many ways.

Gene will be missed by family and friends and we offer prayers for a joyous reunion with husband Dick, sisters Carol and Susan, and all of those that have gone before her and helped her on her journey home to God. The family wishes to thank the in-home caregivers of Hand and Heart, the associates and staff of The Arboretum of Heritage Greens, and the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro for their compassionate care.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11:00 am at All Saints Episcopal Church at 4211 Wayne Road, Greensboro, NC 27407. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fayssoux Scholarship at Christ School, 500 Christ School Road, Arden, NC 28704, or to The Altar Guild of All Saints Episcopal Church.