Edward Ray Edwards

Published 7:25 pm Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Mr. Edward Ray Edwards, age 91, a resident of 605 Plymouth Street, Washington, died Thursday, March 30, 2017 at his home.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the First Baptist Church in Washington, conducted by Dr. Greg Barmer and Rev. Robbie Parker.

Burial with Masonic Rites will follow at Oakdale Cemetery in Washington.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Marc Edwards, Lance Edwards, Kenneth Ray Bradley, Aubrey Howard Jr., Roland Edwards and Mahlon “Buster” Kenny.

Mr. Edwards was born in Beaufort County on December 7, 1925, son of the late Fenner Augustus Edwards and Sadie Gabrielle Godley Edwards. Mr. Edwards graduated from Chocowinity High School.

Mr. Edwards was affectionately known as Edward Ray, Ed Ray, Ed, and by a couple of special folks as E-Ray.

On October 2, 1943, Mr. Edwards married Eleanor Mae Hudson, who survives.

He along with Mr. Bennie and Miss Ezora Alligood founded the Beaufort County Grange. He served as President of the Grange chapter for a number of years and helped build it to the largest Grange chapter in North Carolina.

Mr. Edwards has held membership in local Masonic Lodge #675 for more than 60 years. He served as Master of the Lodge numerous times. He obtained the 32^nd degree in Masonry, Sudan Temple and Shriners. Mr. Edwards was awarded the high honor of Masonry as a member of the Grand Lodge of Royal Order of Scotland. He was also a member of the local Eastern Star Chapter #7. He served in many capacities in both the Masonic and Eastern Star organizations across the state, as well as honorary membership in several lodges across eastern North Carolina.

In the early 1960s, Mr. Edwards help found and served as president of the local fast pitch softball league for several years. He saw their All-Stars go on to win the North Carolina Fast Pitch Softball Championship in Roanoke Rapids, NC in 1963.

Mr. Edwards began his career in the insurance industry with Pilot Life Insurance Company in the late 1950s. He founded Edward Ray Edwards Insurance, Inc. in 1966. Mr. Edwards was owner and president of the company for 40 years. In 2002, he sold the business to his long-time dedicated office manager, Larue Alligood. He fully retired in 2008 at the age of 82. Larue continues to operate the Edward Ray Edwards Insurance Agency, Inc. They celebrated their 50th year of business in Washington in 2016.

Mr. Edwards was truly a man of integrity in his business transactions and saw everyone and every client as a personal friend. Ed Ray certainly leaves behind a tremendous legacy both as a businessman and person.

His family came first and he loved them dearly. His family consisted of ten brothers and sisters; his wife, Eleanor of 73 years; his son Stan and wife Julie; his grandsons: Marc Edwards of Washington, Lance Edwards and his wife Sarah of Asheville; and his “special daughter” Phyllis Wade Trombley of Woodbridge, VA; two brothers: Hubert Edwards of Sanford and Roy Edwards of Chocowinity; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by twin sister, Ruby Faye Edwards Bradley; sisters: Dora Lee Edwards Walker, Viola Edward Howard, Marie Edwards Kenny; and brothers: Mayhue Edwards, Rev. Elbert Edwards, Preston Edwards and Milburne Edwards.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM Friday, April 7, 2017 at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Widow’s Mite Fund, c/o First Baptist Church, 113 N. Harvey Street, Washington, N.C. 27889 or the Masonic Home for Children, 600 West College Street, Oxford, N.C. 27565.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Edwards family.