Rev Otis Virgil Edwards

A native of Madison County, Rev. Edwards was the son of the late Austin and Mamie Lou Epps Edwards and was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Sue Martin Edwards; 3 brothers, Quilla Edwards, Lynelle Edwards, and Odell Edwards, and son-in-law, Don Kesler. Rev. Edwards began his ministry in 1942 and after serving in the US Army during WWII he attended Bob Jones University. In 1948 he organized Calvary Baptist Church, which is now New Haven Baptist Church. He also organized Bethel Baptist Church in Union Point and The Baptist Tabernacle near Commerce. In 1948 he began a radio ministry on WRFC and WNGC that continued for 42 years. In 1957 he organized Northside Baptist Church where he ministered until his retirement. During his ministry he made over 21 trips to the Holy Lands as a tour guide and founded the Independent Baptist Fellowship Association of Georgia.

Survivors include daughters, Joan Towns and husband, Doug and Gay Kesler; son, Paul Edwards and wife, Linda; sister, Merle Fortson, Marie Allen and husband, Charles, and Jeanette Daniel and husband, Calvin; 8 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 11AM Saturday, July 20th in the chapel at Bernstein Funeral Home with Dr. Harold Venable of Reidsville, NC officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial. The family will receive friends from 6-8PM Friday, July 19th at Bernstein.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 550, Atlanta, GA 30346.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.