Samuel Wallace Edwards Jr.

Samuel Wallace Edwards, Jr., 82, of Williamsburg, VA, went to be with his Lord and Savior for eternal rest surrounded by his family on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Wallace Edwards was born on December 13, 1930 to Mr. and Mrs. S. Wallace Edwards Sr. of Surry, VA. Wallace Edwards grew up in Surry, VA and graduated from Surry High School in 1948. He graduated from Massey Business School in Richmond, VA. An American Patriot, Wallace Edwards joined the United States Army in 1954 and served in Panama and Maryland in the Military Police Corps. Following in his father’s footsteps Wallace was a second generation curemaster of S. Wallace Edwards and Sons Inc. for over 50 years. Responsible for developing and maintaining a positive business image among the Virginia Ham industry and the community with a reputation for honesty, integrity, quality, and superior service. Wallace Edwards served as President of S. Wallace Edwards and Sons Inc., of Surry, VA for over 30 years. A lifelong member of the Surry United Methodist Church, he served as past Chairman of the Church Administrative Board. He was recognized as a community and industry leader as evidenced by positions as Director and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of First Virginia Bank; Charter Member and past President of Surry County Chamber of Commerce; Director of the Surry County Educational Foundation; Member of the Tidewater Academy Board of Directors; Past Vice President of the Virginia Meat Packers Association; Director of the National Country Ham Association; Director at Large of the Appomattox Basin Industrial Development Company; Trustee of the A.P.V.A.; Charter and Board member of the Surry, Co. Historical Society and Museum Inc.; and a former member of Williamsburg Middle Plantation. Wallace was passionate about the historical preservation of the Jamestown Scotland Ferry started by his maternal grandfather, Captain Albert F. Jester. He will forever be remembered as a true Virginia gentleman of honor and integrity, who passed on a heritage of great national culinary traditions for future generations. A devoted husband, father and grandfather, Wallace Edwards was preceded in death by his daughter, Amy Edwards Harte; father, S. WallaceEdwards, Sr.; and mother, Oneita J. Edwards. Natives of Surry, VA, Wallace and his wife relocated to the Williamsburg Landing in 2006. He leaves behind his loving wife of over 59 years, Yvonne B. Edwards, of Williamsburg, VA. He is also survived by his son, Samuel W. Edwards III and his wife, Donna W. Edwards, of Surry, VA. Other survivors include his granddaughter, Stephanie A. Edwards and her fiancé, Thomas R. Sutton; and grandson, Samuel W. Edwards IV; sister, Oneita Mae Johnson; his late daughter’s husband, Paul Harte; and many nieces and nephews. The Edwards family will receive friends at Nelsen Funeral Home, in Williamsburg, VA, on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A funeral service for family and friends will be held at the Surry United Methodist Church on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 11:00 am with Pastor Ray Rowland presiding. A graveside service will follow at Old St. Luke’s Cemetery in Smithfield, VA. Memorial donations may be made to the Surry United Methodist Church, Sanctuary Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 118, Surry, VA 23883; the Surry County Historical Society, Captain John Smith Project, P.O. Box 262, Surry, VA 23883; or to the Parkisnson Place, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd., Suite 100 Sarasota, FL 34232.