Funeral services for Mr. Robert Bryant Edwards, 75, of Gadsden, will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Collier-Butler Chapel. Rev. Robby Edwards will officiate with burial to follow at Forrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services directing.
Bryant graduated from Emma Sansom High School in 1957. During his time at Emma Sansom, he was on the 1957 State Championship baseball team, in the 1957 VFW Emma Sansom National Championship Band under the direction of Rip Reagan and president of the Emma Sansom Band Club. Bryant was also on the Central Board of Directors for the Boys Club, the Gadsden Times Father of the Year, and a member of Alabama City United Methodist Church. He also was a proud member of the Jacksonville State University Marching Southerners. Bryant coached many years in youth baseball and basketball and officiated many games. He is also retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company after 38 ½ years of service.
Bryant is preceded in death by his father, Louis Stephens Edwards; mother, Francis L. Delevie Edwards; and sister, Joyce Edwards.
He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia J. Edwards; sons, Robby (Belinda) Edwards, and Chris (Debbie) Edwards; daughters, Beverly (Eric) Hurst, and Suzanne Edwards; grandsons, Colin and Kyle Edwards, and Ryan and Andrew Edwards; granddaughters, Casey (Adam) Johnson, Andrea, BreAnne, and Codi Hurst, and Kristi Edwards; great-grandsons, Aiden and Luke Johnson; sister, Virginia Edwards; brother-in-law, Bill (Pat) Johnson; nephew who was more like a brother, Stevie Stephens; and a special companion, his Sheltie, Bear.
Pallbearers will be Colin Edwards, Ryan Edwards, Kyle Edwards, Andrew Edwards, Michael Edwards, Robert Stephens, Adam Johnson, and Ernie Gamblin.
Honorary pallbearers will be the 1957 Emma Sansom High School State Championship baseball team; and the 1957 VFW National Championship Emma Sansom High School Band under Rip Reagan.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. John Wilburn and nurse Pam; Dr. Bryan McGwier and Cindy; and Jerry’s Pharmacy and Matt Mabrey.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.collier-butler.com
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