Claude C. Edwards

Mr. Claude C. Edwards, age 97 of Marietta, GA died April 21, 2016. Mr. Edwards was a graduate of the Marietta High School Class of 1937, where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He was captain of the football team and co-captain of the baseball team. He was president of the “M” Club in 1936 and was featured Best All Around and Most Athletic Boy of his class. Mr. Edwards later played baseball for the American Legion, Sinclair Oil and played softball for the Cobb County Times. After graduation he secured employment with McNeel Marble Company. Mr. Edwards later was employed with Peoples Financial Corporation where he retired in 1984 after 42 years service as Senior Vice President. During World War II, Mr. Edwards enlisted in the Army in 1942 and was accepted into it’s Aviation Cadet Program. He graduated as a Second Lieutenant Bombardier in 1943 and was assigned to the U.S. Army 8th Air Force, 385th Bomb Group, flying B-17 aircraft. Mr. Edward’s B-17 was shot down by German aircraft on February 24, 1944 near Rostock, Germany. He was captured and held as a German prisoner-of-war for 14 1/2 months. Mr. Edwards was honorably discharged on January 8, 1946. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medals for his service to his country. Mr. Edwards was a charter member and organizer of the North Central Georgia Chapter of Ex-POW’s. He was also a charter member of the Marietta Civitan Club where he served in many positions. Mr. Edwards was a member of the Marietta Country Club, Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Post #29 and the Marietta Elks Lodge #1657. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Josephine Leard Edwards. Mr. Edwards is survived by his wife, Virginia Cox and her children, Lisa Reinhold of Marietta and Ray Shortridge of Cartersville; brother, Charles W. Edwards and his sister, Mary E. Moon, both of Marietta and 2 grandsons, Charles Reinhold and Cody Shortridge. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 26 at 2 p.m. at the Carmichael Funeral Home Chapel in Marietta with the Reverend Banks Brazell officiating. Entombment will follow at Kennesaw Memorial Park with military honors. The family will receive friends Monday, April 25 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Mr. Edward’s memory to Wellstar Tranquility Hospice at Kennesaw Mountain, 475 Dickson Ave. Marietta, GA 30060. Arrangements by Carmichael Funeral Home in Marietta. (770) 424-4924.

Burial arrangements under the direction of Kennesaw Memorial Park.