Rev. Dr. Edwin Riley Sells, age 88, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on February 8, 2024, at 10:28 a.m. Ed is preceded in death by his devoted wife of 56 years, Mrs. Betty Anne McNeill Sells of McCormick, SC. Ed is survived by his children Lisa and Rick Yates, Lee and Lisa Sells, Lori Sells Roach, and 6 grandchildren: Kathryn and Connor, Sherri and Levi, Mary Mac and Ashton Riley. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ed was born in Union Springs, AL, on August 5, 1935, to the late K.D. Sells and Virginia Driscoll Sells. Ed earned his undergraduate degree from Troy University and his Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Ed felt God’s call into ministry at an early age and began preaching as a licensed local pastor of the Methodist church at the age of 17. During his studies to become a fully ordained elder of the Methodist church, Ed continued to serve local churches and ministered to numerous communities in south Alabama.
While at Candler School of Theology, Ed met the love of his life, Betty Anne, who was teaching elementary school in Decatur, GA. After a brief courtship, they were married on July 11, 1958. Together, in ministry, Ed and Betty served many churches, with their children, in the Alabama/West Florida United Methodist Conference. Over his 57 years of ministry, Ed’s influence and impact was remarkable. There is no knowing the countless lives he influenced for good and for God. He was known for being a genteel southern gentleman, for his humor and wit, for his constant care for others, and for always doing the right thing. His character and charm were unmatched.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to his dear friend Fannie Wilson, Alabama Hospice, Crystal Griffin R.N., and the amazing team of caregivers that cared for Ed over the last year: Kim Estes, Annette Jones, Crystal Kinn, and Lynn Robinson.
The family will receive visitors on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Christ United Church in Mobile, AL, with the celebration of life service at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. The interment will be at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City, AL, on Saturday, February 17, at Noon CST / 1:00 p.m. EST
