Samuel Lee Edwards Sr.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7)

Brother Samuel Lee Edwards, Sr. was born on March 2, 1927, to the late William and Sennie Westry Edwards in Coy, Alabama. He united with Tates Chapel AME Church at an early age where he also attended school.

He worked on the farm with his parents and five siblings (deceased) until the age of sixteen at which time the land owner revealed that he had purchased a brand new tractor with headlights to allow him to not only plow the field during the day time but also at night.

This decision by the land owner precipitated his decision to hop a train and relocate to Mobile. Due to his faith in God he was certain that God had a better plan for his life. Upon settling in Mobile, he joined the AFL-CIO where he served as a Union Organizer for 53 years. He also served as President of Local Union #70 and was a member of the International Union #1470 for over 50 years. He worked tirelessly to improve working conditions and compensation for working class people.

He joined Metropolitan AME Church where he served in many capacities for over 70 years; some of which included Steward Pro Tem, class leader, and chairman of the finance committee. He also regularly attended the Central Alabama and Southwest Alabama Annual conferences where he was asked to conduct devotions due to his fervent praying and singing of hymns. He was very instrumental in financial advocacy for supporting his church.

He met the love of his life Janie Perry Edwards in a small Holiness Church in Mobile. They married in September of 1950 and were happily married for 56 loving and devoted years before she preceded him in death. This holy union produced three children Linda, Patricia, and Samuel Jr. Samuel Jr. preceded his father in death. Mr. Edwards was also preceded in death by his granddaughter Trenise Rideau.
He leaves to cherish his legacy two devoted daughters, Linda Diann Edwards Brown of Birmingham, Alabama and Patricia Edwards Rideau of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Three grandchildren: Jay Eric (O'Terral) Brown of Birmingham, AL, Frank Rideau of Baton Rouge, LA and Breanna Edwards of Mobile, AL are left to cherish precious memories of their grandfather. Three great grandchildren: Michael Minor of Baton Rouge, LA, Frank Rideau, IV of Baton Rouge, LA and Jacob Edwards Brown of Birmingham, AL brought extreme joy to their great grandfather. His six devoted nieces and nephews: Rev. Samuel (Marilyn) Edwards of Atlanta, GA, Sennie (Lindsey) Longmire of Detroit, MI, Steve Williams of Birmingham, AL, Mary (James) Williams of Coy, AL, Jacqueline (George) Knight of Coy, AL, and Samuel (Geraldine) Wilson of Coy, AL will cherish his memory forever. His devoted friend Voncile Smith preceded him in death. His memory will also be cherished by numerous friends, neighbors and church members.

Visitations will be held on Friday, August 18th from 3 - 6 p.m. at B.E. Brown & Co. Mortuary, 5817 Grelot Road and Saturday, August 19th at 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. funeral hour at Metropolitan AME Church,750 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Mobile, AL.