Mr. Richard Earl Edwards III

1968 - 2026

A home going celebration for Mr. Richard Earl Edwards, III, who departed this life on February 5, 2026. will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 12:00 noon at Northside Missionary Baptist Church, 5706 North 40th Street, Tampa, Florida Senior Pastor Leonard Harrington, Officiating with Pastor Reginal T. Webb, Eulogist of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. For the celebration of life service, the family is requesting everyone attending to wear shades of blue or brown attire.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, Florida.  There will be viewing on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida.

Richard was born to the parentage of Clifton, Sr and Elizabeth Edwards on September 28, 1968, at Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida. He attended Armwood High School and graduated in 1986. Richard later married the love of his life Cynthia, March 3rd, 1990.  They've celebrated 35 years of marriage.

Richard was a jack of all trades, and he was very excited to become an entrepreneur when he opened Journee's Auto Detailing Shop.  He really took pride in his work.

Richard was known to most as "Big Richard/Big Man".  He loved to fish, cook and his new hobby was bowling.  He was just a big man in disguise, but he was a Big Teddy Bear.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Edwards; father, Clifton Edwards, Sr. and brother, Eugene Fennell.

Richard leaves to cherish precious memories of him with his devoted and loving wife, Cynthia Edwards; son, Richard Earl Edwards, IV (Janeece); granddaughter, Journee A. Edwards (Princess); siblings, Priscilla Geter (Earl), St. Lucie, Florida and Clifton Edwards, Jr (Tracy), Tampa, Florida; uncle, Charles Edwards (Marion), Bushnell, Florida; aunt, Vernita Edwards, Orlando, Florida; nephews, Jonathan, Denzel, Christopher, Dominick, De'Andre, Stephon D, Denario, Anthony, Aljarraeu, Elvis, Doriaz, Stephon, Shandon, Jermaro, Damon and Eldrid; nieces, Scydetra, Lequisha, Deshanei, Laphilshaderrickicia, Derrickicia, Quanisha, Antanisha and Jernyce; a host of cousins including special cousins, Serita Simmons (Doug) and Sharon Edwards; mother-in-law, Eleanor Martin, Tampa, Florida; sisters-in-law, Linda Livingston (Paul) and Phyllis Bowles (Ricky); brothers-in-law, Elvis Martin and Anthony Martin (Kim); special friends, Clarrence Drew, Frank Leggett, the Brooks family and a host of other relatives and friends.

                                                                                 "A Wilson Service"