MURRAY LEE EDWARDS

MURRAY LEE
EDWARDS, 83

LAKELAND - Murray Lee Edwards, 83 died September 12, 2012 at Shands Hospital in Gainesville due to cancer.
He was born June 29, 1929 in Clovis, New Mexico where he graduated from Clovis High School in 1947 and there he formerly owned the Clovis Feed Yard before moving to Texas. Mr. Edwards moved from Gatesville, Texas to Wauchula, Florida in 1966. He moved on to Lakeland after marrying his wife Pat in 1973. He owned the Cow Palace which later became Mur-ray Edwards Livestock, and was the owner of Murray Edwards Trucking L.L.C. Murray became the biggest shipper of cattle in the state of Florida for many years. Mr. Edwards provided a market for the producer and rancher in Florida as he was himself a rancher and producer. He was known as one of the best cowmen that ever lived. Murray was an honorable gentleman. He belonged to L.M.A., the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, the Florida Cattleman's Association and supported the 4-H program by donation and by buying livestock from the youth.
Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his sister Zelda Leavelle and brother Clifton Edwards. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Pat of Lakeland, daughter Traci Edwards of Lakeland, sisters Pearl Glidewell and June Locknane, both of Clovis, New Mexico; also surviving are 3 grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Saturday 6 to 8 PM at Lakeland Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. Funeral services will be held Sunday 1 PM at Bethel Baptist Church with burial to follow in Lakeland Memorial Gardens.