Mr. Graham Edwards, age 88, loving and devoted father, grandfather, and friend passed away January 31, 2011 at Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing Home.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite T. Edwards, brother, Leland G. Edwards and parents, Mercer and Thelma Edwards.
He is survived by one daughter, Rebecca Ann White and husband Larry, of Silver Spring, MD; one son, Blake Edwards and wife Vickey, of Florence; grandchildren, Bradley White of Greenville, SC, Elizabeth West and husband Jeff, of Ingleside, IL, Jeff Edwards and wife Jennifer, of Florence, Laura Edwards, of Mobile, AL, Will Edwards, of Tuscaloosa, AL, and nine great grandchildren.
Mr. Edwards was born on July 16, 1922 in Paint Rock, AL and moved to Florence as a child. He was a product of Florence Schools, graduating from Coffee High School in 1941 and attending Florence State Teachers College for two years before enlisting in the Army Air Force to serve in WWII. He and Marguerite Turbeville were married on January 9, 1944 and he left soon after to serve in the Air Transport Command in the China-Burma Theater from 1944-1946. He returned home to Florence upon honorable discharge from the Army Air Force and worked for the City of Florence as Purchasing Agent for the Electricity Department from 1946-1966. He was appointed City Administrator for the City of Florence in 1966 and served in this capacity until his retirement in 1988. During those years he also served as a lay pastor in the Methodist Church and served several churches in the area including East Russellville, Center Star, St. John Methodist in Florence and finally Parkway Methodist Church (formerly First Independent Methodist Church) until his retirement from the pulpit. In 2010 a Scholarship was established in his name at Wesley Biblical Seminary to honor his many years of Christian service. He was very active in his community serving on the Red Cross Board, City of Florence Planning Commission, Kennedy Douglas Arts Center Board, Vocational Education Board, President Alabama City Managers Association, Treasurer Friends of the Library, Chaplain and President of the Florence Civitan Club, and was the clubs oldest and longest serving member.
Special thanks to Dr. Lyman Mitchell for his many years of special care to both Mr. and Mrs. Edwards and to the staff at Merrill Gardens and Mitchell-Hollingsworth.
The family will receive friends beginning at noon Wednesday, February 2, at Elkins Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2PM in the chapel with Rev. Larry White officiating. Burial will follow in Greenview Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Edwards, Will Edwards, Bob Grice, Ronnie Stone, Ed Grissom, and James Fitzpatrick.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Edwards honor to Gideons International, Restoration Ranch, or The Salvation Army.