Elder Durward Edwards, age 84, of Edison, went to be with the Lord Wednesday morning, October 20, 2010, at the Woodside Village Care Center following an extended illness.
On December 23, 1925, Durward was born in Detroit, Michigan, one of nine children of the late Freddie and Hettie Mae (Hackney) Edwards.
He was raised in Haysi, VA, where he helped on the family farm. On his 18th birthday he registered to join the U.S. Army to help his country during World War II. He served as a rifleman in the 242nd Infantry Regiment, Rainbow Division. During the Battle of the Bulge, Durward was shot and captured where he was held as a prisoner of war (POW) in Dresden, Germany. He feared for his life for four months and a day until he was liberated on May 7, 1945. For his courage and strength, he was awarded a Purple Heart.
Upon his honorable discharge, Durward returned to his home and family in Haysi. He attended carpenter’s training in Abingdon, VA, then returned home where he built houses, worked in the coal mines, and helped with the family farm.
While attending a local dance he met a breath-taking young lady, Arbutus Catherine Anderson. They danced and Durward knew she was the one for him. He asked for her hand in marriage and shortly thereafter Catherine and Durward were married on November 10, 1950.
In 1953, Durward and his family moved to their current home in Edison, OH. He was hired at Hydraulic Press Manufacturing (HPM) Corporation where he worked as a machinist and inspector for thirty-eight years, until his retirement in 1991.
In 1958, Durward and Catherine became members of the Rocky Fork Primitive Baptist Church in Brush Ridge, OH. The elders in the church found Durward to be a man of deep faith, who had a gift to preach. They ordained him in the church in 1965 and he pastored Rocky Fork and many other primitive Baptist churches throughout Ohio for over forty-three years. He also served as moderator for the Sandusky Association for many years. Elder Durward was a guiding light for the Lord his entire life.
With a love for nature, Durward often said and believed that “this is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” He enjoyed working outside: tending to his yard, orchard, and garden. He also raised bees, which his family thinks he did simply because he loved to give jars of honey to his friends.
Durward loved people. Having a huge heart, Durward’s life was his church and family. He always made time for everyone, whenever and wherever he was needed. His favorite times in life were when his family would return home and everyone would simply be together, especially when they came home for his annual wiener roasts. All children were a joy to Durward. He was known as the “dollar-man”, having given away countless $1 bills to any child in earshot.
Durward will be dearly missed by his wife, Catherine Edwards of Edison; four sons: Roger (Kary) Edwards of Sherwood, Arkansas, Glen (Shee) Edwards of Ashville, Steve Edwards of Upper Arlington, and William Edwards of Columbus; twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren with one more on the way; four brothers: Elder Howard (Shirley) Edwards of Ferndale, MI, Otis (Norma Jean) Edwards of Cardington, Elder Darvin (Nancy) Edwards of Mansfield, and Noah Edwards of Haysi, VA; two sisters: Crissie (George) Hetrick, and Betty Jones, both of Marengo; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Including his parents, Durward was preceded in death by two sisters: Elma Edwards and Retta Colley; and two infant children: James David and Ann Elizabeth.
The Edwards family will greet friends from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, October 22, 2010, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead, OH 43338. Services giving glory to God for Durward’s life will be held on Saturday, October 23 at 10:30 AM at the Rocky Fork Primitive Baptist Church, St. Rt. 423 in Brush Ridge, with Elder Edward Reed officiating. The church is located on the northwest corner of OH-231 and OH-423, Marion, OH 43302. His family will greet friends for an hour prior to his services at the church. Burial with military honors provided by the Marion County United Veterans Council will follow in Grand Prairie Cemetery across the street from the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to: The Durward Edwards Memorial Fund, Woodside Village Care Center, c/o Ben Granger, 841 W. Marion Rd., Mount Gilead, OH 43338, or to the Morrow County Veterans Service Office, 619 W. Marion Rd., #107, Mount Gilead, OH 43338.
For those wishing to express their condolences to Durward’s family, you may do so online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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