Charles Stomel Edwards Jr.

Charles was born to Charles S. Edwards Sr. and Beatrice Morris Edwards on January 6, 1949. He grew up in Tampa, Florida attending Mitchell and Grady Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Jr. High and H. B. Plant High School graduating in 1967. He then went on to attend Florida State University graduating with a BA degree in Social Services and a Master’s degree in Criminology. Upon returning to Tampa in 1973, he worked for the State of Florida for the Department of Children and Family Services, then the Department of Corrections. He retired in 2008.

Charles had a love for the outdoors. He particularly enjoyed photography and landscape gardening, spending many hours at nurseries and orchid shows. He was also quite the intellectual, with a great appreciation for history, science and politics. In his retirement Charles enjoyed spending time outside gardening, always with his beloved dog Mattie by his side. He was fondly known to his grandsons as Papa Bucky, and loved nothing more than making them laugh with his silly jokes.

Charles was a caring son, father, grandfather, brother and friend who will be deeply missed. He was predeceased by his parents Charles Sr. and Beatrice Edwards. He is survived by his daughter Lauren Basile (Matt), brother Barry Edwards (Peggy) and his former wife and friend, Linda Edwards. He leaves behind four precious grandsons who he adored; Matthew James (9), Luke Charles (7), Levi Edward (5) and River Elwood (2).

The family of Charles would like to offer our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the nurses and staff of St. Andrews Rehabilitation Center and Hospice of Tampa for their loving care.

A graveside ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. The service will take place at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens located at 2323 W Brandon Blvd. Brandon, Florida.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to The Michael J. Fox Foundation to support research and finding a cure for those living with Parkinson’s.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsboroMemorial.com for the Edwards family.