Deacon Tony Lamar Edwards

Funeral services for Deacon Tony Lamar Edwards, 60, of 1110 Robert Road West, Wilson, NC will be Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 1:00 pm and will be held at Contending For The Faith Church Ministries, 1006 Academy Street East, Wilson, NC.  The committal services will follow in the Rest Haven Cemetery located on Lane Street Ext.  Pastor Douglas Atkinson will deliver the Words of Comfort.  

Deacon Tony Lamar Edwards was born to the late Robert Lee Edwards and Bettie Atkinson Edwards on November 13, 1956 in Wilson County, NC.  He departed this earthly life in Fort Washington, MD on October 13, 2017 at the age of sixty.   Deacon Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee Edwards and Bettie Atkinson Edwards and five brothers; David Edwards, Bobby Edwards, Robert Edward Jr., Walter Bethea and Curtis Atkinson.

He was affectionately known by his family and friends as “Big T”, “Red”, “Boot” and “Chief”,  and was educated in the Wilson County School System where he graduated from Elm City High School in 1975.   Deacon Tony loved playing basketball and was a STAR athlete under the leadership of the late Harvey Reid.  Following graduation, he attended Mercel Junior College in California but later returned to North Carolina and joined the U.S. Army. 

 Deacon Tony loved to cook and eat.  While serving in the US Army, he became a master chef and received many awards for his culinary skills.  One of his favorite foods was “fried taters”.

Deacon Tony was a very loving and caring person.  He loved his wife Lydia whom he was married to for 17 years and his family, especially his daughter, Ayonda who was his sweet, precious angel and his grandsons, Brandon and Aaron who were the “Apple of his Eye”.

On February 13, 1998, under the leadership of Pastor Douglas Atkinson,  Deacon Tony rededicated his life to Christ.  He served as chairman of the Deacon Board, President of the Men’s Fellowship Committee, Past Superintendent of Sunday School, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Teacher, church van driver, custodian  of the church, and one of the lead singers of the Male and Gospel Choirs.  He even played the drums at times.  He truely served the church with all his heart. 

Deacon Tony Lamar Edwards leaves his precious memories to be cherished by his loving and devoted wife, Lydia Edwards of the home; one daughter, Ayonda Dent of Fort Washington, Maryland; two precious grandchildren that were the apple of his eye, Brandon Dent and Aaron Dent; five step-sons,  Ren Johnson (Angie), Will Johnson (Lakesha), Lorenzo Johnson, Anthony Johnson (Bonnie) and Timothy Johnson; two step-daughters, Melissa Johnson (Tahg) and Sarina Johnson (Alfonzo); five sisters, Jeanette Smith (Amos), Bettye Coley, Shirley Sanders (Bernard) and Lula Langston all of Wilson, NC and Marie Allen of New York; two brothers, Dennis Edwards of Garnersville, NY and Lester Hartfield (Pamela) of Rocky Mount, NC; one aunt, Geraldine Ladson and a host of other relatives and friends including a special nephew and riding partner, Jason Langston and four best friends, Robert Atkinson, Benjamin Ellis, Michael Batts and Anthony Farmer. 

A public visitation will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Wilson, NC.  At other times, the family will be receiving friends at 1110 Robert Road West, Wilson, NC.  

Condolences may be posted at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhome.com or emailed to stevensfuneralhome3@gmail.com.  For any questions or concerns, please contact Stevens Funeral Home at 252-991-5843 Carlton Jr. @ 252-399-9434.

 Service Information