Dueward Rivers Edwards, 86, a resident of Creedmoor, North Carolina, passed away Saturday evening, September 22, 2012 at the Duke Hock Family Pavillion in Durham, North Carolina. Dueward was a native of Franklin County, North Carolina.
He was the son of the late Paul Hampton Edwards Sr. and Rosa Tharrington Edwards. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Creedmoor and the Men’s Bible Class that transitioned to the Watson Mangum Sunday School Class for 49 years. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and on May 24, 2003 Henderson, North Carolina Lodge No. 1412 honored him with a Life Membership certificate for his 50 years of service. Brother Dueward Rivers Edwards was a Master Mason of the Creedmoor Lodge No 499 in good standing continuously for 47 years. He served as Master of the Creedmoor Lodge for the year 1972. Dueward was appointed and served on the Granville County Tourism Development Authority from 2003 until 2007. The Granville Athletic Park (GAP) was developed during his time of service. He was a former member of the Creedmoor Chamber of Commerce and served for several years as the coordinator of the Annual Creedmoor Christmas Parade. Dueward and his brother Willard owned and operated Edwards Auto Sales in Henderson, North Carolina. In 1963, Dueward and Willard became owners of Edwards Brothers Chevrolet in Creedmoor. Dueward was an outstanding salesman and truly valued the friendships of all of his customers. He retired from his business in 1988 to enjoy his passion for golfing with his friends. He was a Charter Member of the South Granville Country Club. His greatest joy in his life was his love for his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandson.
Funeral service for Mr. Edwards will be conducted on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at 2:00pm at the First Baptist Church in Creedmoor, North Carolina. Burial to follow in Carolina Memorial Gardens in Creedmoor.
Surviving Mr. Edwards is his wife of 64 years, Merle Medlin Edwards. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters and son, Sandra Edwards of the home, Edna Atwater of Mebane, North Carolina and Betsy (Jeff) Faucette of Creedmoor and Dewey (Tina) Edwards of Clarksville, Virginia. Mr. Edwards has six grandchildren, Travis Atwater of Mebane, North Carolina, Christin Apple of Pittsboro, North Carolina, Whitney Edwards of Clarksville, Virginia, Coltyn, Collin and Conner Faucette of Creedmoor. He is also survived by a great-grandson, Aaron Edwards of Clarksville, Virginia. In addition to his children and grandchildren, Mr. Edwards has two sisters, Mildred Murphy of Durham, Geraldine Horton of Louisburg and three brothers, Roger, Donald and Mickey of Louisburg, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by a sister, Sandra Edwards of Louisburg and two brothers, Paul Edwards, Jr. of Henderson and Willard Edwards of Creedmoor.
Family will receive visitors at Eakes Funeral Home in Creedmoor on Monday, September 24, 2012 from 6:30pm until 8:30pm and at other times at the home on 513 Lake Road in Creedmoor.
Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the Duke Friends of Nursing or the First Baptist Church of Creedmoor Building Fund P.O. Box 38, Creedmoor, North Carolina 27522.
