Harry Roddey Edwards, 81, of Lake Wales, FL, a former pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.
Mr. Edwards was born in Elsberry, MO on January 5, 1937 to Charles and Dorothy Edwards. They later moved to Columbia, SC. He attended Columbia High School where he was voted president of the student body. After graduation, he attended Erskine College in Due West, SC, and then Erskine Theological Seminary. While there he served the Troy Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Edwards then came to Lake Wales, where he served as an associate pastor, and then as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Lake Wales, Florida, from 1961-1971. During this time, the church sent him to Princeton Theological Seminary to earn his master’s degree.
Afterward, he moved to Bartow, FL, and worked for the state until his retirement.
He is survived by his four children: Mary (Pete) Hayes, of Middleburg, VA., John (Jackie) Edwards, of Lake Wales, Anna (Jess) Lang, of Hattiesburg, MS, and Sarah (Jim) Ellerbe, of Clayton, NC; a sister, Beverly (Harry) Cooper, of Atlanta, GA; seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
He is being cremated and although the arrangements are not yet finalized the family anticipates that there will be a private service at a later date.
Please send any cards and letters to his daughter, Anna Lang, 100 Barracuda Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39402.