Bernard Dean Edwards Sr., 78, of Canton, died at 9:30 AM, Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at the Northside Hospital in Canton, Georgia. Known as "Bernie" to his friends and "Big Guy" to his family. He was born July 26, 1937 in Galax, Virginia to Ernest Clyde and Lena Wilson Edwards. He married Margaret Harper on May 23, 1964 and she survives.Also surviving are his two children, one son Bernard Dean (Dirk) Edwards Jr. and his wife Stephanie of Cincinnati, one daughter Patricia Elizabeth (Beth) of Newnan; three granddaughters Edie, Harper, and Sloan Edwards; one sister Ruth Moran of Vera Beach; along with several extended family members.Bernard's father Ernest Edwards and mother Lena Edwards preceded him in death.Bernard grew up in Galax, Virginia where he lettered in multiple sports in high school which earned him a scholarship to East Tennessee State. He graduated from East Tennessee State and joined the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1960. Honorable discharge as Captain in 1962. From 1962 to 2016 Bernard worked in various sales, marketing, and managerial positions where led
businesses and his work ethic and kindness was second to none, while all the time being a loving and dedicated husband and father in the raising of his family. Ever the southern gentlemen, Bernie "Big Guy" Edwards truly set the bar when it came to being a man of character.He loved to compete throughout his life in all types of games and sports. His love of golf earned him the Senior Club champion in 2014 and Player of the Year in 2015 at the Canton Fairways Golf Course. He also enjoyed cooking and spending time with his friends and family whenever possible. The visitation is from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Darby Funeral Home, 480
East Main Street, Canton GA 30114. The funeral service will follow the next day at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 1, 2016, at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, GA 30114. Reverend Jim McRae will be officiating. The burial will be at the Georgia National Cemetery.
Memorial flowers should be sent to Darby Funeral Home or contributions may be made to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org in Memory of Bernard Dean Edwards Sr.
The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.