Stephen Ray Edwards

Resilient.

No one who knew Steve Edwards would be surprised to find the man's picture next to the definition of that word in Webster's dictionary. That is because even one of the trials and tragedies that life threw at Steve would have felled a lesser man. He served a tour of Vietnam, endured the deaths of loved ones, lived through the horrors of PTSD, and suffered from a long list of devastating health problems brought on by the ravages of Agent Orange. Through it all, he persevered. Yet, perhaps even more impressive than his brute strength was the fact that life's adversities never tempered his tender heart. He remained a kind man until the very end.

Stephen Ray Edwards was born on April 27, 1948 in Tallassee, Alabama to the late Ray Schalk Edwards and Lorene Mathis Edwards. He graduated from Towers High School in 1966, then went on to serve this nation proudly in the Air Force in Vietnam, beginning in 1968 until his honorable discharge in 1972.

During that time, in addition to the time he spent in combat, he was a member of the Special Forces, the USAF Honor Guard, and the USAF Rifle Team.

After his military service, Steve spent his career as a mechanical contractor. He loved music throughout his life, played the guitar, and was even the lead singer of a band during his younger years. When not working, he enjoyed fishing, and was known to frequent a good honky-tonk when he got the chance.

Steve was predeceased by his son, Stephen Ray Edwards, Jr. and his wife, Ginger Turvey Edwards.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Angel Cook Edwards; children, Michael Scott Edwards (Keva), Stephanie Rae Edwards, Elizabeth Joyce Caylor and Matthew Loyd Caylor; grandchildren, Haley Edwards and Nicole Edwards; brothers, John Robert Edwards and Stuart Bart Edwards; aunt, Gloria Edwards Smith; Alta Edwards, and numerous other lifelong friends, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Steve passed away on March 13, 2023. Everyone who loved him takes comfort that he is finally free from so many years of suffering and pain. A private family memorial service is planned. A commemoration will be held Saturday, April 29, 2023, 2:00 P.M. - the location will be provided when available. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boot Campaign at https://bootcampaign.org/ or to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate .

This obituary was prepared with love and affection by Mr. Edwards' family.