Loving son of Willie David and Mary Willie Edwards, Elijah Edwards passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family and entered into Glory on May 5th, (Celebrated Cinco de Mayo), 2013 at 12:59 in the afternoon. Succumbed to cancer Elijah is survived by his loving wife, Estela, of fifty nine years, his sons; Elijah Edwards Jr. and Clemente Edwards, his daughters; Adelina Deleon, Gloria Mary Curiel, Petra Edwards, Mary Louise Edwards, his five loving grandsons, eleven loving granddaughters, eight great grandsons, twelve great granddaughters, his brother George Hoover Edwards, his sisters Vergen Eve Edwards, Tereatha Edwards, many nieces and nephews and extended family. Elisha was a loving father, husband, and friend to all.
Born October 19, 1926 in Smackover, Arkansas, Elijah was raised in Winnfield, Louisiana and graduated from Winn Parish Training School. He joined Oak Ridge Baptist Church, where his father was an associate minister. His vocations and avocations were farming, raising cotton, corn, peanuts, watermelon, and many other fruits and vegetables. He also worked in the sawmill in Winnfield. His recreational activities included fishing at Black Lake; Swimming at Cayese Creek, horseback riding, traveling throughout Arkansas and Louisiana always visiting his relatives. He was considered to be the serious one of his identical twin brother when they were children.
Elijah came to Roseville, California in the early fifties and retired from Union Pacific Fruit Express as Chief Foreman, after being employed for over forty years. While he made a commitment to Jesus Christ at a very early age, he eventually served as a devoted Deacon at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, of which he was a member since 1970. In his lifetime Elijah Edwards achieved his titles as Noble of the Mystic Shrine, Master Mason in Golden West Lodge No. 327, Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33°, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret 32° of Ancient Free and Accepted Scottish Rite Freemasonry.
Elijah leaves lasting memories to those who knew him best. He enjoyed collecting and working on cars for many years. He also collected coins, and was known for his hat collection and stylish attire. Every spring he would till his yard for a beautiful garden which consisted of tulips, peppers, watermelon, and tomatoes. He enjoyed having barbecues on special occasions with his family and friends as he sat under his selected fruit trees. He traveled throughout the states visiting many monuments and collected souvenirs and memorabilia’s for his family and friends to share his treasured experiences.
Elijah is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters; K.C. Kenneth Charles, Ruthie Mary “Rutha Mae”, John Henry nee John the Baptist, A.Z., Beulah, Thomas Horace, and his twin brother Elisha.
Elijah Edwards will be greatly missed as he has made a deep impression of love and strength in his loved ones’ lives.
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