Dr. John Alexander Edwards

Dr. John Alexander Edwards, 89, died Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at River Landing in Colfax, NC. A service celebrating and remembering him will be held on Monday, November 25 at 12:00 at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. The family will receive friends following the service in the Virginia Gilmore room at the Church. You can view the service remotely at fpcgreensboro.org

John was born December 2, 1934 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He graduated from Davidson College, where he was a varsity swimmer. He met his future wife, Evelyn Copelan, the summer after their freshmen year in college. They were married just after college graduation on June 1, 1957.

John went on to get a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina and a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in Clinical Psychology. He set up a private practice Greensboro, which he maintained for decades. He was one of the first licensed psychologists in the state of North Carolina. He was the founding and long-time Director of the Counseling and Testing Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also taught psychology at both UNC-G and North Carolina A & T.

For 27 years, John made regular appearances on WFMY-TV’s Good Morning Show. He made over 70 appearances during which he discussed issues related to families.

John was highly active in the community. He was involved in school desegregation and racial reconciliation efforts in Greensboro, including a leadership role on a Board of Education advisory committee related to school integration. He offered pro bono psychological services to low income and homeless people for many years through Greensboro’s Urban Ministries. He was a leader or member of numerous boards, such as the Family Life Council. One organization that was particularly important to him was the Irish Children’s Summer Program, which brought Protestant and Catholic children from Belfast to Greensboro in an effort to bring those communities together. He also consulted with many organizations, such as Head Start and the North Carolina Psychological Association. He was active at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, where he was an Elder and long-time Senior High youth advisor. He volunteered for the American Red Cross as a manager in Disaster Mental Health, leading teams providing mental health support to both clients and disaster workers. He worked on 17 disaster operations.

John received a number of awards for his work. These include the Red Cross’ Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership, the North Carolina Mental Health Association Media Award, Physician of the Year from the Greensboro Mayor’s Office Council on Employment of the Handicapped, and the Rotary Club.

John was an avid traveler and photographer, sometimes doing travelogues for WFMY. He was an accomplished sailor and spent as much time as he could on his boat, the Lark. Once, on a sailing trip returning from Bermuda, he and his crew encountered a gale so fierce that it sank a tall ship. Communication with the Lark was lost, and they were feared “lost at sea”, only to be found, late, blown well off their planned course, but safely sailing home. John also loved Montreat, N.C., where he and Evelyn had courted as college students and where they had a second home.

During his time with the Red Cross, John would encourage staff to “be a meaningful presence”. This phrase sums up his life.

John is survived by his children John Edwards, Jr. and wife Karen Patrick of Corvallis, Oregon, Anne Glontz and husband David of Charlotte, N.C., Joyce Rabb and husband Bill of Evans, Georgia, and John Conger and wife Blair of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Also surviving are grandchildren Alex Glontz, Andrew Glontz, Ian Edwards, Lauren Murphree, Amanda Schick, Genny Rodriquez, Molly Conger, and Oliver Conger. He is also survived by 8 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, General Relief & PDA Support, pda.pcusa.org or to the American Red Cross, Disaster Relief, redcross.org/local/north-carolina/about-us/locations/piedmont-triad

Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is assisting the Edwards family with arrangements. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared by visiting www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com