The most beloved man this side of the Chattahoochee has traded in his worldly body for a beautiful set of wings. He didn't need a new halo because the one he's been wearing his whole life matches perfectly
Gaston Lamar Edwards aka "Old Guy', 86, formerly of Columbus, GA, left the comfort of his home surrounded by his loving family at 9:15 am on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Daddy called Salem, AL his home since the passing of his wife of 61 years, our mother, Mary Lou Edwards on April 12, 2021. He was born in Juniper, GA to the late Louis Arlie Edwards Sr and Mamie Evelyn Edwards.
He was predeceased in death by his brother Louis Arlie Edwards Jr, his sisters Louise Tefft and Ethel Bell and his son in law Shelley Foxworth.
Early on, he served his country in the Army National Guard. Daddy retired from the City of Columbus as a Street Maintenance Supervisor, then enjoyed the best days of his life employed at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL until his retirement in 2020 at the age of 82.
Daddy loved to be surrounded by people and was always on the go, traveling with our mother to Gospel Singing Conventions, Church Ministries and singing Bass in Gospel Quartets. His and mama's favorite trip was on the Disney Cruise in 2003. He also enjoyed visiting everybody. As much as he loved his family, he loved a few things even more. Like hot strong black coffee, cold strong black coffee, ice cream, word search puzzles, Atlanta Braves baseball and Auburn football, and fishing with his daughter Andrea.
Daddy was a kind and gentle, soft-spoken and never confrontational gentleman and never met a stranger. The birth and death of this wonderful man —the love of our lives — is not nearly as relevant as all the days and nights that he loved and lived his life to the fullest between those dates.
He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Brannon and husband Mark who he loved as a son until the end and daughter Andrea Foxworth. Grandchildren Corey Gibbs, Lacey Argo (Stevie), Harlan Johnson (Amanda), Matthew Foxworth (Hayden) and Megan Garsee. Great grandchildren Kylie & Kennedy Gibbs, Reese & Hunter Argo, Addison, Hadley & Avery Johnson, Parker, Cooper & soon to arrive Nora Foxworth and Makenna & Emberlyn Garsee. His beloved sister in law Martha Blount Whitaker and Wynette Cheek. Many nieces and nephews.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Edwards family.
