Lamar Swader Edwards, age 91 of Knoxville, passed away Sunday, March 1, 2020. He proudly served our country as a Marine Veteran during World War II. He retired after 36 years of service as an Engineering manager with AT&T and Powell Telephone companies in the Knoxville area. He served as a distinguished President of the Pioneers of America Chapter 21 Club. Lamar was a devoted husband to his wife, Jean, of 71 years, loving father and caregiver to his family. In retirement, he continued community service as a Deacon at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Trustee Chairman of the Mt. Olive Cemetery, volunteer with the Kidney Foundation, and was a prominent contractor and home builder in South Knoxville.
Lamar is preceded in death by his parents, Miles Lamar Edwards and Lela Swader Edwards of Knoxville; sisters, Marilyn Edwards Roach and Janet Edwards King.
Survived by wife Ruby Jean Henry Edwards; children, Michael L. Edwards and wife Kathy (Charleston, SC), Pamela W. Harrison and husband Kevin Winn (Bluffton, SC), and Melissa K. Edwards (Knoxville); grandchildren: Erin E. Pruitt and husband David (Greenville, SC), Lindsey E. Edwards (Kensington, MD), Michelle E. Burke and husband Bryan (Denver, CO), Melinda W. Hunt and husband, Brian (Columbia, SC), Peter E. Hogan (Charleston, SC), Katherine C. Hogan (Charleston, SC), William Edward Gunter (Knoxville, TN); great grandchildren: Xan A. Hunt, Henry R. Pruitt, Elliot E. Pruitt, Anna D. Pruitt, Connor J. Burke; neice, Sharon B. Hazlewood and husband Max (Maryville, TN); children Rob and Ben Hazlewood; nephew, Mark Roach and wife Diane (Maryville, TN); children Heather and Arielle Thompson, Sara Roach; nephew Louis King and wife Georgeanne (Memphis, TN); children Hope King and Virginia Pleasants; nephew Eddie King and wife Cathy (El Cajon, CA); child Christine; numerous dear members of Church family, dear friends and neighbors.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 5, 2020, 5:00-7:00pm at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 2500 Maryville Pike, Knoxville, TN. 37920 with a service to follow at 7:00pm officiated by Rev. Kirby Ownby. Family and friends will meet at Lynnhurst Cemetery, 2300 Adair Dr. Knoxville, TN 37918, Friday, March 6, 2020 for an 11:00am Interment Service. Full military honors will be provided by the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.berryfuneralhome.com
