Birth Date: 08/07/1935
Deceased Date: 08/27/2021
BUTNER – Earl Thomas “Tom” Edwards, age 86, loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away on Friday, August 27, 2021, at home surrounded by his family. Born August 7, 1935, in Johnston County to the late James Haywood and Clyde Taylor Edwards, he was preceded in death by his brothers Andy Edwards, Jim Edwards, and Donald Edwards and a sister Elizabeth Edwards.
Tom was retired from Rex Hospital after 22 years as the Head of Major Construction. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Creedmoor and former long-time member of Bethlehem Baptist Church and the Christian Friends Sunday School class in Knightdale. Tom was a tenor and loved to sing in church. He was the lead vocalist and played rhythm guitar for the rock and roll band The Flat Tops (1955 – 1958) and lead vocalist for the gospel groups The Kings Quartet and The Kings Messengers (1970’s – 1980’s).
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 1, 2021, in the chapel of Parrish Funeral Home, 1351 South Pollack Street, Selma, NC 27576, with the Rev. Greg Allison officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Selma Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. just prior to the service.
Surviving are his wife, of 66 years, Betsy Moore Edwards; son, Stephen Edwards and wife Sharon of Roxboro; daughter, Shannon Edwards Franks and husband Danny of Timberlake; five grandchildren, Stephanie Edwards Sandy of Graham, Stephen Edwards, Jr. and wife Rianna, of Fort Benning, GA, Anthony Cangas of Timberlake, Grayson Franks of Wake Forest, and Montana Franks of Creedmoor; 8 great grandchildren, Adrianna Sandy, Shane Sandy, Mckayla Edwards, Kora Edwards, Landon Lindo-Vargas, Zeke Edwards, Mariah Kettison, and Easton Edwards; 2 great nieces, Taylor Edwards and Anna Kate Edwards both of Raleigh, whom he considered his own grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews who were very special to him and close to his heart.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Medi Home Health & Hospice, 665 Carver Drive, Suite B, Roxboro, NC 27573.
