In Memoriam : Lester Edwards

Lester Edwards Lester David "Sonny" Edwards - age: 85
(February 05, 1926 to October 18, 2011 )
Resident of De Kalb, Texas

Visitation Information:
6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, October 20, 2011
Bates Family Funeral Home

Obituary:
Mr. Lester David "Sonny" Edwards of De Kalb, Texas passed from this life October 18, 2011, after a lengthy illness. He was 85.

Mr. Edwards was born in Bowie County in the Cooley Community, near Daniels Chapel, on February 5, 1926, to Addie Deen and Markus Edwards. He attended Bowie County Schools. On February 16, 1953, he married Mary Louella Allen in Texarkana, Arkansas. He was a farmer, construction contracter and owned a roofing company. He was an accomplished Mandolin player, a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in WWII. He received the Army of Occupation Medal with the Germany Clasp, the World War II Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and a Bronze Star. Mr. Edwards was an active member of the Jesus Name Holiness Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Odie May Edwards Lawrence; two half brothers, N.L. and A.G. Deen; a half sister, Dualee Deen; and a grandson, Ryan Brown.

He is survived by the mother of his children, Mary L. Edwards of Hooks, Texas; two daughters and a son-in-law, Sherrie Bernardi of Texarkana, Texas and Nelda and Brady Hawks of New Boston, Texas; a son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Karlene Edwards of De Kalb, Texas; four half sisters, Wanda Davis of Texarkana, Arkansas, Faye Deen of Texarkana, Arkansas, Marie Castano of Texas City, Texas and Winona McCamy of Texas City, Texas; a half brother, Ray Deen of Crosby, Texas; eight grandchildren and two grandsons-in-law, Chris Ward of Wilmington, Delaware, Mindy and Tony Brunson of El Paso, Texas, Scott Ward of New Boston, Texas, John Brandon Edwards of Texarkana, Texas, Zach Jones of De Kalb, Texas, Jessica and Tommy Brown of De Kalb, Texas, Tom Hawks of Texarkana, Texas and Dustin Hawks of Simms, Texas; and six great grandchildren.

Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 21, 2011 at Bates Family Funeral Home with Pastor Gene Ross and Joshua Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at Woodstock Cemetery.

Visitation will be 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, October 20, 2011 at Bates Family Funeral Home.