Birth Date: 04/06/1928
Deceased Date: 05/23/2023
Melvin Ray Edwards, 95, passed away Tuesday morning, after a brief illness, at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. Born April 6, 1928, he was the son of the late Joe and Lois Edwards. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Evelyn Rains Edwards, with whom he had six children and owned and operated Edwards IGA in Princeton for more than 50 years. He is also preceded in death by his son and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Marian Edwards; his brothers, Theron (Pete), Leo and Russell Edwards; and his sisters, Lillian E. Mitchell and Marie E. Long Lee.
Known for his Christian faith, Melvin was an active member of the Princeton United Methodist Church, where he was a former Trustee, Sunday School teacher and served in numerous other positions. He was also a very active pillar in the Princeton Community, serving for many years on the Princeton Town Board, the Princeton Lions Club, he was a Charter Member of the Princeton Fire Department and also served on the Board of Trustees for the Johnston Memorial Hospital for 15 years (1983-1998), much of that time as the chairman. In 2016, Melvin was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the state’s highest honor, for his lifetime of service to his community. Melvin proudly served in the US Merchant Marines during WWII.
A memorial service for Mr. Edwards, will be held Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home with the Rev. Clay Parker, the Rev. Dennis Pollock and the Rev. David Varnell officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. just prior to the service. A private entombment will be in the columbarium at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery at a later date.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Ann Stancil Edwards; sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Rene Edwards of Stella and Steve and LuNelle Edwards of Princeton; daughters and sons-in-law, Phyllis Edwards of Princeton, Rosemary E. and Doug Gatewood of Four Oaks and Sara E. and Steve Moore of Goldsboro; stepsons, Jackson Stancil of Princeton and Johnathan and Jen Stancil of Durham; brothers and sisters-in-law, J.S. and Shirley Edwards of Lee’s Summit, MO, Bob and Phyllis Ann Edwards of Princeton and Henry and Ira Edwards LaGrange; sisters, Rose E. Peele of Smithfield, Betty E. Pharr of Charlotte and Jean E. and Denny Garner of Snow Hill; thirteen grandchildren, Michael Edwards and wife Melissa, Jamie Edwards and wife Leah, Katie Edwards and fiancé Larry, Adrian Tyndall and wife Ava, Taylor Rae Edwards and fiancé Noble; Jonathan Gatewood and wife Jamie, Patrick Gatewood and wife Lindsey, Rachel M. Pate and husband Jack, Aaron Moore and husband Patrick and Jessica Edwards, K.J. Stancil, Luke Stancil and Avery Stancil; thirteen great-grandchildren and five great great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be directed to either the Princeton United Methodist Women, PO Box 116, Princeton, NC 27569 or the SECU Hospice House, c/o Johnston Health Foundation, PO Box 1376, Smithfield, NC 27577.
Condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com.
