Virginia Beach - Warren E "WE" Edwards, 92, of Oak Ridge, TN and a long-time resident of Kempsville passed away May 15, 2014. He was born in Courtland, VA on December 3, 1921 to Roscoe Gilliam Edwards, Sr. and Elizabeth Arendall Edwards. WE is predeceased by a son, Stephen W. Edwards; his sister, Katherine E. Drake and his twin brother, R. G. Edwards.
He graduated from Courtland High School after which he began active duty on October 20, 1942 in the US Army. During WWII in the European Campaign, he commanded a tank in the 802nd Tank Destroyer Battalion which took him from Luxemburg to Czechoslovakia. WE was a member of the Courtland Volunteer Fire Department and a Charter Member of the Rescue Squad. It brought so much joy to his life to help anyone in need in this capacity. He also served as PTA president at the Courtland Elementary School. He loved God and his family and was dedicated to the community in which he lived. Being born and raised in Courtland, VA, he was an active member of the Courtland Baptist Church as the Sunday School Superintendent and as a Deacon. After moving to Virginia Beach, VA, he was a Deacon in the Kempsville Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, the "love of his life" Mildred Chappell Edwards; his son, Warren C. Edwards (Diane) of Oak Ridge, TN; two daughters, Catherine E. Sutton (Jack) of Oak Ridge, NC and Olivia E. Bullock of Wilson, NC; his grandchildren, Joel C. Edwards, Stacy S. Carroll (Clif), Virginia S. Reynolds (Matt), Jonathan Edwards (Amy), Stephanie E. Quel (Brannon), Daniel Edwards (Aimee), Melissa B. Callahan (Derrick), Edward L. Bullock, Jr. (Audrey) and Paul Bullock; his great-grandchildren, Caroline Edwards, Alan Edwards, Zoe Quel, Taylor Horne, Gage Horne, Jessalyn Callahan, Katelin Bullock, Wade Bullock and Annabel Bullock and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Greenfield Senior Living and Briarcliff Health Care Center, both of Oak Ridge, TN for the excellent care they provided for him.
The funeral will be held at 12 noon on Monday, May 19, 2014 at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Rodney Morrison officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Riverside Cemetery, Courtland and a reception will follow in the Courtland Baptist Church. Family and friends are invited. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer's Research Association (ARA), 22748 Playview, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082, Courtland Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P. O. Box 349, Courtland, VA 23837 or a charity of your choice. www.wrightfuneralhome.org