Robert 'Bob' Coe Edwards

Mr. Robert Coe Edwards ""Bob"", 81, passed away peacefully into his Lord's arms Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House in Winston-Salem with family by his side after a courageous battle against cancer. The family will receive friends Wednesday, December 19, 2012 from 6:30 PM until 8:30 PM at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Ardmore Baptist Church, 501 Miller St., Winston-Salem, NC. The son of the late Robert and Lucile Edwards, Bob was born on July 3, 1931 in Norene, TN. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1949 where he excelled scholastically and on the basketball court. Bob attended Middle Tennessee State University before he enlisted in the US Navy. After serving his country, Bob had a 20 year career in insurance with Independent Life & Accident Insurance Co. that moved him and his family to Winston-Salem in 1967. After a career change in 1976, he retired from Roadway Express in 1996. Bob always said if someone said they didn't enjoy retirement they weren't telling the truth. His retirement years were filled with fishing, golf, watching sports, working the polls and traveling. He was like ""a kid at Christmas"" when he attended his first Masters Tournament in 2006. Trips to such places as Barbados, Arizona and Florida were so much fun for him but a trip around the world in the spring of 2011 was a dream come true for Bob - visiting such places as Australia, China, Switzerland, France, Italy and England. He was definitely a ""people"" person - always a teaser and greatly enjoying spending time with his family and the many dear friends he made throughout his life. Bob will always be remembered as a loving father, father-in-law, Papa, Great Papa, brother and friend. From the humble beginnings on a farm, Bob learned and established character traits that followed him to the end. Bob came from a loving family, learning the importance of hard work and close knit family love. Most important to how he would live his later life was the upbringing he received in his church. Bob married Rhee Evans in 1954. While stationed in Key West, Florida, they were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Debbie and later in Miami, FL a son, Dale. Bob would become a rock in both children's lives, teaching them lessons that continue to guide them today. Later Bob would become Papa - the greatest granddaddy to Jennifer and Samantha. For years they have been his greatest joy. He became ""Bonus Papa Bob"" to Beth, Paige and Trey in 1994. Bob was beyond thrilled this past year to experience the birth of two Great-Grandchildren - Biggs, who was born on Bob's birthday, and Caroline. He was a man we all looked up to for love, friendship, and guidance. While Bob loved his family dearly, perhaps his greatest love was for his Lord Jesus Christ. His life was guided by his relationship and service to God. Bob was ordained as a Deacon in 1964 while living in Miami, FL. He taught Sunday school at Ardmore Baptist Church for over 18 years where he was a member for 45 years. His Sunday School Class, The Adult 9, Coed 1, will serve as Honorary Pallbearers. In the later months of his life, his chief desire was that all he came in contact with would come to know and accept Jesus. Bob had an uncommon faith for these times and lived that faith until the end. Bob is survived by his daughter, Debra Edwards Little (Buell) of Concord, NC; his son, Robert Dale Edwards (Sheila) of Morehead City, NC; granddaughters, Jennifer Garvey Mackethan (Crawford) of Wilmington, NC and Samantha Ryan Edwards of Morehead City, NC; ""bonus"" grandchildren, Beth Gaul (Jake) of Raleigh, NC, Paige Johnson (Ross), and Trey Little, both of Concord, NC; great-grandchildren, Crawford Biggs Mackethan IV and Caroline Elizabeth Gaul; his sister, Jackie Edwards of Nashville, TN; his brother, Mike Edwards of Lebanon, TN; two nieces, a nephew, a great-niece, a great-nephew and several loving cousins. Also surviving Bob are special friends Bill, Renee and Ryan Newman, the Adult 9, Coed 1 Sunday School Class and three of the ""Fab Four"" - Bud Hensley (Andee), Marshall Weatherman and Will Roberts. The family wishes to express a special thank you to all of the medical personnel who provided wonderful care to Bob during his illness. They all became trusted friends to Bob. And to all of Bob's close neighbors, ministers and members of his Church, a special thank you from the family for your love, friendship, support and time in helping with taking care of Bob. We are all better people for having known Bob Edwards. It was Bob's wish that any memorials be made to Ardmore Baptist Church, 501 Miller St., Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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