Michael Edwards

Surrounded by family at home, Michael Edwards went to be with his Lord on Monday, September 6, 2010 after a long courageous battle with cancer. Michael was born in Raleigh on October 29, 1950 to Charlie Raymond “Chip” Edwards and Doreen “Pebbles” Fazackerley Edwards, graduating from Broughton High School and North Carolina Wesleyan College. Michael’s interests were wide and varied. In addition to Civil War history, Michael was interested in all things nautical, as long as they had sails. His competitive nature and desire to know about everything were hallmarks of his character. Michael was a competitive shooter, served as commander of the 3rd N.C. Cavalry unit of the North-South Skirmish Association and past president of the Sir Walter Gun Club. Michael also raced radio controlled sail boats locally and he loved his shooting and sail boating friends. Although Michael was consumed with outside activities, he built many close friendships in the Industrial Extension Service at NCSU. He will miss them all. Michael also loved music, in recent years playing the trombone in several church orchestras. Most of all Michael loved to sing, especially the good old church music, singing most recently in the choir at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. Michael also loved the Lord and His church. He was Chairman of the Elders at Quest Fellowship and had an active interest in the development and growth of the church. Michael’s interest in learning about all things lead him to borrow The Physics of Radiation Therapy from the programmer at his Radiation Oncologist’s office. He had a desire to understand exactly how the radiation would work to kill the cancer in his body. Although these last months have been a difficult and painful struggle, the experience has been bearable thanks to Cancer Centers of North Carolina and Hospice of Wake County. Dr. William Berry at Cancer Centers worked to the fullest to find new treatments for Michael each time an old treatment failed.
We thank especially Laura, Lisa, Cathy, Coveny, Pia, and Kelly at Cancer Centers and Andrea and Dannie with Hospice of Wake County for their kindness and compassion.
Michael is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Cowan Edwards; son, Nathan Edwards of Raleigh; brother, John Edwards and wife, Angela of Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania; sister, Nikki Phillips and husband, Lockwood of Morehead City, North Carolina; stepdaughter, Michele Arnold; and granddaughter, Olivia Rose Arnold of Fleming Island, Florida.
A memorial service for Michael will be held Saturday September 11, 2010, 2:00 p.m. at Quest Fellowship Church, 5120 Raynor Road, Garner, North Carolina.