A Celebration of Life for Willie "Bro" Edwards

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

August 17, 1946

THE JOURNEY BEGINS AGAIN

April 7, 2024

Saturday, April 13, 2024 11:00 a.m.

Mr. Willie “Bro” Edwards was beloved to all who knew and loved him. He had an infectious laugh and welcomed the conversation of everyone. He will be dearly missed by family, friends and anyone who was blessed to meet his acquaintance.

He was born on August 17, 1946 the seventh of eight children to the late Andrew and Lucille Edwards in Oglethorpe County, Georgia where he was reared in a close-knit family. He was affectionately called “Baby Bro” and enjoyed an unbreakable bond with his brothers and sisters. This bond would last into adulthood and there wasn’t a day that went by where Bro and his siblings didn’t discuss life and all of its ups and downs either in person or on the phone. Many days, Bro could be found sitting at the kitchen table talking with his brothers about the Atlanta Falcons, the Atlanta Hawks or the Atlanta Braves.

He was educated in the Oglethorpe County School System and graduated from Oglethorpe County Consolidated School in 1965. While he loved his hometown, he sought better opportunities and upon graduating from high school, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia. The capital city would indeed be a land of great opportunity for him, but it would also be a place where his strong work ethic would serve him great purpose. He began working at Mead Packaging in 1968 and would be blessed to remain at the company until 2001. He worked in various positions including Truck Driver and Corrugator. For many years, he was among one of the few minorities at the large corporation, but he persevered knowing whatever room he walked into, he belonged. Even during his time at Mead, Bro possessed an entrepreneurial spirit and he started Bro’s Lawn Care. He took great pride in ensuring the care and maintenance of his lawn and the lawns of others. He could often be seen riding his mower with sunglasses and a smile. He knew his customers by name and always made each customer feel as if they were his “best customer.”

In addition to working at Mead and owning his lawn care business, Bro loved his community, which led him to begin a career with DeKalb Parks and Recreation in the early 1990s. His formal title was Recreational Aid, but at the Midway Recreation Center, he was more than that. He was a leader, a guide, a friend, a team player and a staple. His name was synonymous with Midway and he poured his love and energy into the children and youth of its community until his health challenged him otherwise.

Early in life, Bro accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord and was baptized at New Bethlehem Baptist Church in Carlton, Georgia under the late Reverend L.A. Jackson. He had a profound love for his home church, often visiting for funerals, church events and especially the annual Homecoming celebrations. He cherished “going home” and hardly missed an opportunity to fellowship and worship at Bethlehem.

He also appreciated worshipping with his family, which led him to later join Beulah Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Jerry D. Black, Sr. He especially enjoyed attending the early morning worship service and going downstairs for breakfast to fellowship with family and church members. He truly never met a stranger, and certainly not when he was in God’s house.

When Bro moved to Atlanta in 1966, he not only wanted a better life, but he also wanted a life with his high school sweetheart. He married the former Julia Ann Smith on April 17, 1966. To this union, four girls were born- Sharon, Tasha, Erica and Letisha.

The “original six” lived in Atlanta before settling in Decatur, Georgia and literally becoming the “People’s House.” As their siblings and other family members moved to the city to seek better opportunities, everyone stopped by for a brief stint to live with Bro and Julia and their girls. Bro didn’t

mind helping anyone because he was dedicated to not only making things better, but making people better. He made sure his girls knew how to do everything- from changing a tire, to mowing the lawn, to cooking breakfast, to obtaining the best job in their field. He set no limitations on their abilities. He taught them how to fish, how to clean the fish, how to cook the fish, but also to share the fish. He equipped his girls with a wealth of knowledge to ensure their success far into the future employing the truth of the African proverb,

Give me a fish and I will eat today, teach me to fish and I will eat for a lifetime.

Bro and “Mrs. Edwards” as he respectfully called his wife, traversed the country and the world throughout the years. From the many family reunions, class reunions and anniversary trips, they saw much more than their parents could have ever imagined for them. Their travels included New York City, Los Angeles, Bahamas, Jamaica, Hawaii and they even made it to Paris, France one year to experience the City of Love. Their life together spanned almost six decades; and for better or worse, through sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer- they were devoted until the end.

In addition to fishing, Bro loved playing softball and he spent many years on the field coaching and playing the sport. He and his daughters were at many parks throughout Atlanta and Decatur; so much so, they were known for “turning off” the lights on Sunday nights. He and his brother-in-law, Charlie, were also members of the motorcycle club - Poison Inc. When Bro wasn’t on the softball field, he and his wife Julia were on his motorcycle riding all over the Southeast. After their girls came on the scene, he traded the motorcycle for a van and his travels included the “World’s Fair.”

Willie “Bro” Edwards lived well, laughed often and loved deeply. He loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He enjoyed fishing and watching sports and hoping the Atlanta teams would pull out a win. He took great pleasure in picking up his baby brother, Herman, and riding to his hometown to check on his brothers and sisters or spend time for the holidays. He loved eating soul food because “other food” just wasn’t good enough. He loved wearing his many hats and caps and especially liked when someone added to his collection.

His absence will be felt by everyone he loved, but his presence will live forever by the many lives he impacted. He entered into eternal rest on April 7, 2024.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Mr. Jim Edwards, Mr. Ferge “Billie” Edwards, Mr. Willie Davis Edwards, Mr. John D. Waller, Mr. Rufus Waller and Mr. Nathaniel Waller; and sisters, Mrs. Minnie Webb and Mrs. Ruby Mitchell.

His memory will be cherished forever by his wife of fifty-eight years, Mrs. Julia A. Edwards (Decatur, Georgia); his four daughters, Mrs. Sharon (John) Stocks (Stonecrest, Georgia), Mrs. Tasha (Thurman) Hester (Alpharetta, Georgia), Mrs. Erica (Marvin) Johnson (Decatur, Georgia) and Dr. Letisha Edwards (Smyrna, Georgia); his five grandchildren, Ashley, Tia (Malcham), Jared, Marvin Jr. and Madison; his five great-grandchildren, Brian, Damoni, D’Maya, Khloe and Kobe; his siblings, Mrs. Lula Moore, Mr. Arthur (Pearlie) Edwards, Mr. Tom Edwards, Mr. Herman Edwards, Mr. Lindbergh Waller and Mr. Willie Waller; his in-laws, Mr. Morris (Cathy) Smith, Mr. Charlie (Margie) Smith, Mr. Eddie (Eloise) Smith, Mrs. Shelia Dillard, Mr. Ulysses (Sharon) Smith), Mrs. Debra (Horace) Moss, Mrs. Cathey (Ray) Davenport and Mrs. Eleanor Jean Edwards; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and loving friends.

Processional

Musical Selection

Scripture Reading

Prayer of Comfort

Poetry Reading

Order of Service

Old Testament

Mrs. Jennifer Browning

Reverend April S. Davenport

New Testament Minister Rita Faye Smith

“A Letter from Bro"

Tributes of Remembrance (three minutes please)

Friend - Mr. Douglas Cloud

Musical Selection

Eulogy

Acknowledgements

Recessional

Nephew - Mr. Mack Hill

Brother-in-Law - Mr. Eddie R. Smith

INTERMENT

Reverend Laurence Parison

Mrs. Hazel Roach

Ms. Jennifer Myles

Reverend Jerry D. Black, Sr.

Pastor, Beulah Missionary Baptist Church

Mrs. Michelle Allen

Ms. Jennifer Myles

Kennedy Memorial Gardens

2500 River Road

Ellenwood, Georgia

REPAST

Mary White Carlton Fellowship Hall

Beulah Missionary Baptist Church

To My Husband

I thought of you with love today

But that is nothing new

I thought about you yesterday

And days before that, too.

I think of you in silence

I often sp k your name

All I have are memories

And your picture in a f me.

Your memory is my keepsake

With which I’ll never part.

God has you in His keeping

I have you in my h rt.

Daddy,

How n we find the words to show you how much we re? To thank you for all you have done and for always being there.

Through joy and pain, through laughter and t rs; you were there until the end. You have been more than a father, you have also been a friend.

It broke our h rts to lose you, but you did not alone. A part of all of us went with you the day God lled you home.

P ceful memories will rest with us and your love will always be our guide; While we n no longer see you, we know you have our back and will always be at our side.

We feel blessed by God today and always for the gr t times we have had; We take gr t pride in being your daughters and knowing you were our DAD!

FLOWER ATTENDANTS

Nieces of Mr. Willie “Bro” Edwards

PALLBEARERS

Nephews of Mr. Willie “Bro” Edwards

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The family of Mr. Willie “Bro” Edwards would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for those who have extended prayers, love and kindness on their behalf during his illness as well as during this time of grief. You have been an added blessing and the family is forever indebted to you for every sentiment of love. We would also like to acknowledge the care and concern shown by Mrs. Ruby Hardy and Ms. Rose Williams during recent months who helped to make the load lighter and the days brighter. We are especially grateful to God for the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church family and for the leadership of Pastor Jerry D. Black, Sr. as well as the kindness of Reverend Laurence Parison.

As we prepare for a life without our beloved “Bro,” we do so with the belief he is resting with our Heavenly Father and with the assurance of knowing we are undergirded by your prayers and your presence. For this, we are eternally grateful and it is our prayer, God will continually rest His favor upon you.

Gregory