John Wesley Edwards, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2006, at home. He was a lifetime farmer and member of Bethany United Methodist Church, the Men's Bible Class and had served on the Administrative Board and served as an Offertory Usher for over 40 years. He was a founding member of the Moonlight Hunt Club and a charter member of the former Moonlight Ruritan Club.
He was the son of the late Lloyd L. and Luberta Gwaltney Edwards. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa L. Edwards and by a brother, Decator Edwards and five sisters, Myrtle Logan, Thelma Edwards, Anna Edwards, Doree Edwards and Daisy Holt.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 65 years, Mary Louise Doyle Edwards; a son, George Wesley Edwards and his wife, Jeanette; and a daughter Alice E. Upton and her husband, Greg, all of Smithfield; five grandchildren, Ben Edwards and his wife, Trish, LeAnn Wait and her husband, John, Greg Upton, Jr. and his wife, Lora, Dana Edwards and Phillip Upton and his wife, Evie; eleven great grandchildren, Jordan, Wesley and Drew Edwards, Justin, Jacob, Anna and Sarah Wait, Darren, Miranda, Olivia and Lorraine Upton; a brother, Gwaltney L. Edwards, Sr. and his wife, Mary Taylor of Ivor; two sisters, Evelyn Munford of Windsor and Charlotte Scott and her husband, Parker of Rescue and many loving nieces and nephews.
Friends may join the family for a time of visitation on Thursday, July 27, 2006 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church and other times at the residence. A funeral service will be held Friday, July 28, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. at the Bethany United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Riggles officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bethany United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Raymond Edwards, 13088 Mill Swamp Road, Smithfield, VA 23430.
Parr Funeral Home in Suffolk is serving the family. Condolences may also be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com.