Elder E. A. Edwards

1930 - 2022

Elder E. A. Edwards

September 12, 1930 - December 18, 2022

On Sunday, December 18, 2022, while surrounded by his children, God called home one of His faithful Soldiers, Elder E.A. Edwards (Elbert).

Elbert was born on September 12, 1930, to the late Willie Henry and Ethel Smith Edwards in Union Hall, Virginia. He went to grade school in Union Hall and trade school after serving in the military. He married Virginia Dare Saunders, of Waidsboro, Virginia on October 17, 1951. To this union, six beautiful children were born.

He was drafted into the United States Marine Corp in 1951, and served in action in the Korean Conflict 1952-1954. After he was honorably discharged, Elbert held many jobs, but his most devoted position was being a pastor to his churches. He was baptized in 1949, making his home at Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church. He became pastor of Mount Zion Primitive Baptist Church in 1957; Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church in 1959, Schoolfield Primitive Baptist Church in 1969 and Balcony Primitive Baptist Church in 1977. He faithfully served as Moderator of Ephesus Primitive Baptist Association until God called him home.

In addition to his parents, Elbert was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Dare Saunders, great grandchild, Alani Sophia Stocks; his siblings, Mary Annie Edwards, Fannie Ida Edwards Preston, Ivan Edwards, Lee Ergie Edwards, Joseph Albert Edwards and Benjamin Herbert Edwards.

Left to cherish his memory are his six children, E. Keith Edwards (Donna) of Washington, DC, Gloria E. Meadows of Union Hall, Virginia, William C. Edwards (Candy) of Bowie, Maryland, Daniel L. Edwards (Kay) of Northern Virginia, Tonya V. Mackey (Victor) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Teretta E. Edwards of Charlotte, North Carolina; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one brother, Dewell Edwards (Hilda) of The Villages, Florida; two sisters, Rachel Mattox of Richmond, Virginia and Valether Edwards Weaver of Pittsburg, California; three sisters-in-law, Ruth McDaniel of Ferrum, Virginia, Shirley Jackson of Salem, Virginia and Teretta Shans Edwards of Oakland, California; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Brian Overbey. Interment will follow in the Smith-Edwards Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 2 until 5 p.m. at Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church, 2480 Jacks Creek Road, Union Hall, Va.

Miller Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.

Miller Funeral Home and Cremation Services