Clarence Marcellus Edwards

Clarence Marcellus Edwards, 95, departed his earthly home on January 5, 2013 bound for the heavenly mansion promised to him in the scriptures that he so firmly believed in. His daughter, niece, and two devoted caregivers were beside him at home in Apex. Clarence was born December 8, 1917 to Everette M. Edwards, Sr. and Mary Oakley not far from where he lived. Losing his mother as a child, he was raised in that less complicated time by his loving uncle Dr. Clarence Mann and wife Mary. He was no stranger as a boy to the rigors of farm life developing a strong work ethic and self sufficiency that lasted his entire life. Originally planning to follow Dr. Mann into optometry, he instead joined his father in the lumber business in South Carolina and eventually founded Carolina Plywood Company in Apex. He counted among his friends many well known furniture makers in North Carolina who according to Clarence bought more of his wood veneer because he took them fishing more than anything else.

Clarence carried a much larger presence in his community than his diminutive stature involving himself in many town, school, and business activities. He was president of the Apex Lions Club in 1959. Being especially active in Apex Baptist Church, he served as a deacon and for many years a youth Sunday School teacher.

The many high school friends of daughter Sylvia also still talk today about the great memories of Clarence hauling them all over to games or for pizza jam packed with over a dozen kids in his 1955 white Ford station wagon. Every home Friday night football game found him in rain or cold on his small perch under the telephone pole field lights filming the game at his own expense for team review at the next Monday night practice.

Surviving him are his wife of 72 years, Nell Jones Edwards; daughter: Sylvia Martin and husband Hamilton of Apex; grandson: Thomas Sears, Jr. of Greenville, SC; granddaughter: Denise Voss and husband Kent and their children Banks and Emery of Scottsdale, AZ and half brother: Everette of Apex.

Mr. Edwards is preceded in death by his granddaughter: Brandy Lane Sears.

The family wishes to thank loyal caregivers Ann Kangara, Doris Njoroge, Janella Wilson and Staff as well as the many courtesies provided for years by members of Apex Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends prior to a funeral service from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Apex Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Apex Baptist Church, 110 S. Salem St., Apex, NC 27502.

Online condolences may be made to www.apexfuneral.net