Charles Hughes Edwards

EDWARDS- Charles Hughes Edwards passed away, Saturday, May 12, 2018. He was born January 17, 1929 in Palmetto, FL, to the late Charlie Hamilton Edwards and the late Lucy Hughes Edwards. His sister, Rebecca Edwards of Palmetto, FL also preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruth Sauter Edwards; three sons and daughters-in-law, Charles F. (Allison) Edwards of Tallahassee, FL, William H. (Marcia) Edwards, and James R.  (Deborah)  Edwards of Jacksonville FL; four grandchildren, Marissa (T.J.) Alcantara, Andrew (Amber) Edwards, Patrick (Angela) Edwards and Kaitlin Edwards; a step-grandson, Scotty (Kellin) Girard; eight great-grandchildren, Marriah and Tyler Alcantara, Bryce, Violet, Clare, and Jonathan Edwards and Jackson and Amelia Girard. He was a loving husband and a very proud father and grandfather especially enjoying the time he was able to spend with all of them.

He graduated from Palmetto High School in 1946, and served on active duty with the U.S. Army from 1946- 1949, including one year with the Occupation Forces in Italy and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Sergeant First Class in 1953.  He received his BSBA in Accounting from the University of Florida in January of 1953.

He was a Certified Public Accountant and a partner in the firm of Ring, Mahony & Arner and a partner in Coopers & Lybrand after those firms merged in 1969. He became a Partner in the firm of Smoak, Davis & Nixon in 1974 and retired from that firm December 31, 1994. He was a Past President of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Florida Institute of CPA’s and was a lifetime member of the AICPA and the FICPA.

He was a longtime member of Arlington Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and as an Elder. He was a Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Arlington and had been a member of the Civitan Club of Jacksonville. He became a Mason in 1951 at Palmetto Lodge No. 110 and later was a member of Ezra Lodge No.87 and the Scottish Rite.

The family will receive friends Friday, May 18, 2018 at 4:30 with a Funeral Service to follow at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd with Reverend Joe Medearis officiating. A Graveside Service will be held at Palmetto Cemetery, Palmetto, FL on Saturday, May 19th at 2 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arlington Presbyterian Church, 1351 Sprinkle Drive, Jax, 32211