Ray Edwards

Ray E. Edwards, 85, of Smithville, Texas, died Thursday (April 3, 2014) at his daughter’s residence south of Arkansas City. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Saturday (April 5, 2014) at Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home.

Services in Smithville, are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Tuesday (April 8, 2014) at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Ridgeway Cemetery of Paige, Texas.

Ray was born June 24, 1928, in Eden, Texas, to Robert and Mabel (Wilson) Edwards. He was reared and educated in Texas, graduating from Bastrop High School in 1948. He served in the United States Navy. Ray married Beth and they had a daughter Rae-Vernelle. They were later divorced. He then married Gloria Jordan, together they had two children Derek and Rhonda and were later divorced. Ray married Margaret “Peggy” Churchill. They were married for over 34 years until her death earlier this year.

Ray loved to take care of his goats and pigeons. He was a member of the Methodist Church in Smithville and the Moose Lodge.

Survivors include his daughter Rhonda Jackson of Arkansas City; step-son Robert Kennedy of Dayton, Texas; two sisters Grace Wilson of Lexington, Texas, Charlotte Holmes of Dayton, Texas; grandchildren Josh and wife Lesa Ryan of Arkansas City, Tasha Mangold of Arkansas City, Justin Ryan and Christina Martin of Valley Center; 8 grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a son Derek Ray Edwards daughter Rae Vernelle Ray, and a sister Leola Wammel.