John Ray Edwards

Lt. Colonel John Ray Edwards, 82, of Montgomery, passed away January 19, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Dudley and Ruth Ashe Edwards; sons, John Michael and William Scott Edwards and his siblings Mary Ruth Holley, Doris Maude Zimmerman, James Walter Edwards, and Rev. W.N. (Sonny) Edwards. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ann Norton Edwards of Montgomery; son, Daniel Blake Edwards (Lisa) of Montgomery; daughter, Barbara Ann Edwards Smith of Dothan; grandchildren, Felicity Edwards, Noah Edwards, Owen Edwards, Ansley Smith, Colin Smith, Kylee Smith and Sydney Smith; brothers Houston Edwards (Judi) and Michael Edwards (Charlette).

Mr. Edwards achieved a Bachelors degree from Auburn University and a Masters degree from Webster College. He served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring at the grade of Lt. Colonel after 21+ years of service. He then worked in the Civil Service Junior R.O.T.C. until retirement in 1999. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with his seven grandchildren.

Services for Mr. Edwards will be Friday, January 24, 2020 at Woodland United Methodist Church, 4428 Wallahatchie Rd, Pike Rd, AL at 11:00 AM with Tim Meadows officiating. A visitation will take place one hour prior. Burial will follow at 3:00 PM at New Live Oak Cemetery in Selma, AL. Music will be provided by Scott Borders and vocals by Tim Kirchner.

Serving as pallbearers are Neil Edwards, Noah Edwards, Colin Smith, Duke Heflin, Don Lawrence and Buddy Hardin. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Houston Edwards, Mike Edwards, Owen Edwards, John Norton, Tom Norton, Ken Daly and Ken Strong.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Woodland UMC, 4428 Wallahatchie Rd, Pike Rd, AL 36064.