EDWARDS, Walter Thomas "Tommy" Sr., age 60, went to be with our Lord on December 25, 2010 after a long illness (of heart, kidney and respiratory problems). He was preceded in death by his identical twin brother who died in infancy; his sister, Laura "Lila" Edwards Custalow; and his father, Walter Page Edwards Jr. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Roberts Edwards; his mother-in-law, Virginia S. Roberts; one son, Walter Thomas "TJ" Edwards Jr.; and the love of his life, Adrianna Valleau and her daughter, Makayla Doggett, who referred to him as "Pop Pop Tommy"; his mother, Virginia Harper Edwards Christiansen; his stepfather, Albert "Chris" Christiansen Jr.; his sister, Nancy Scileppi and brother-in-law, Joseph Scileppi; his three brothers-in-law, Del Custalow and his wife, Catherine, Leslie Roberts Jr. and John Roberts and his wife, Donna; one sister-in-law, Mary Morrison; three aunts, Mabel Costello, Mary Ann Harris and her husband, Walter Harris, Catherine Strong and her husband, Raymond Strong; six nieces, Ann Downing, Virginia Chenault (Roy) and Spring Myers (Darrell), Debra Pappas, Amanda Roberts and Jessica Rowe (Adrian); three nephews, Howard Custalow (Theresa), Richard Custalow (Yvonne) and Ricky Roberts; a number of great-nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins, relatives and friends. Remains rest at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 West Broad Street, Glen Allen, Va. 23060. His remains will be transported to Beaverdam Baptist Church in Beaverdam, Va., where the family will receive visitors on Thursday, December 30, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Beaverdam Baptist Church, 19110 Beaver Dam Road, Beaverdam, Va. 23015 on Friday at 2 p.m., with interment beside his place of residence at the Cocke Family Cemetery on Lottie Lane in Montpelier, Va. Immediately following the interment, the family will return to Beaverdam Baptist Church for a time of fellowship and celebration of his new life in eternity. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beaverdam Baptist Church Building Fund. Tommy was a retiree of the Virginia Department of Transportation. In his younger years, he attended Kings Chapel Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Baptist Church and the Gospel Lighthouse. He was a Sunday School teacher for a number of years at Chapel Church of Christ, where he took an active part in working with the youth group and sang in the choir, as well as serving in the capacities of deacon and elder. He attended Beaverdam Baptist Church during his later years and sang in the church choir and helped with church functions and activities as his health permitted. Tommy coached several softball and T ball teams over the years in Henrico, Western Hanover and Holly Grove. He served Boy Scouts Pack No. 706 as Den Leader and Cubmaster. His love of sports later turned into a "father and son" night once a week when they formed a billiard team and played in the APA League under the team name of "Pop's Raiders." The family would like to thank everyone for their many acts of kindness, love and support during his illness, especially since he was hospitalized on October 19. Your phone calls, prayers, visits, flowers and various ways of supporting Tommy and the family are all very much appreciated.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
