George Sadler Edwards, Sr., MD

George Sadler Edwards, Sr. died peacefully at home on November 15, 2024. George was born on March 4, 1928, in Rocky Mount, NC to George Ryland Edwards and Nancy Patterson Edwards. He was an Eagle Scout and attended The McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN where he met the love of his life, Katherine Banks. George attended Davidson College, and he and Kathy were married in 1949.

After graduation, the couple lived briefly in Rocky Mount before moving to Chapel Hill for ten years, where George completed his studies at the UNC School of Medicine and a residency in orthopedic surgery. The couple and their three children moved to Raleigh in 1962, where their fourth child was born.

George was the original founder of a private practice in orthopedic surgery which grew into Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic. He was Medical Staff President of Raleigh Community Hospital and was also on the medical staff at Rex Hospital and Wake Medical Center. Additionally, he served for a number of years as a consultant in orthopedics for the NC Central Prison, Dorothea Dix Hospital and Butner Hospital. He was also the NC State University team physician during the 70s.

A lifelong Presbyterian, George was a deacon at White Memorial Presbyterian Church. He was a Tar Heel fan and enjoyed swimming, hiking the Appalachian Trail and travel. He and Kathy visited every state in the US except Alaska. Following retirement, his love of reading led to his writing and publishing ten books.

George is predeceased by his parents; his wife, Kathy, to whom he was married for seventy years; brothers, Ryland Edwards and John Edwards; brother-in-law, Woodruff “Woody” Banks; and sisters-in-law, Evelyn and Margaret Edwards.

He is survived by his four children, George Sadler Edwards, Jr., M.D. (Lynn) of Raleigh, Nancy Edwards Fitzgerald (Harry) of Winston-Salem, Elizabeth Edwards Gladden of Atlanta, Woodruff Asbury Banks Edwards (Meredith) of Darien, CT. George is also survived by nine grandchildren: Susan Edwards Lewis (Dan) of Wilmington, NC, George Edwards III, M.D (Rebecca) of Raleigh, Julia Edwards Ainsley (Newman) of Washington, DC, Lee Fitzgerald Kennelly and Katherine Fitzgerald Kenney (Jay) both of Charlotte, Nicole Matthews (Asher) of Pomona, NY, Ashley Jackson (Jordan) of Atlanta, Anna Edwards of New York City and Kate Edwards of Darien, CT. He is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Lewis, Jeffrey Lewis, George R. Edwards, Hurley Edwards, Mary Wells Ainsley, Caroline Ainsley, Kevin Kennelly, Anna Kennelly, Harry Kenney, Anne Kenney and Parker Jordan. Also surviving is sister-in-law, Margie Banks.

A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, followed by a memorial service at White Memorial Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 2, 2024. The family will receive visitors in the Jane Bell Gathering Space immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 or Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or the charity of choice.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary’s St, Raleigh.