Harvey Lincoln Edwards passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, October 29, 2017, at the age of 83.
Born in Danvers, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Harvey Russell and Eva B. (Melanson) Edwards. Harvey graduated from Durfee High School in Fall River, MA (1952) and served in the United States Army as a High Speed Operator after training at Fort Gordon, Georgia (1953-1956). After an Honorable Discharge from military service, he attended Bryant University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. At Bryant University, Harvey also served as President of the Chi Gamma Iota fraternity, held class office of Secretary-Treasurer, and sang in the Glee Club. Upon graduation, he travelled throughout most of the United States visiting more than thirty states before settling in Miami, Florida where he began his career in the insurance industry, raised his family, and enjoyed the Arts and outdoors, especially the ocean, beaches, and tennis. In 1978, Harvey moved his family to the mountains of Franklin, North Carolina where he and his wife Sharon established The Franklin General Store and Cheese Shoppe, participated in plays and musicals as a member of the Nantahala Players, hiked with the Nantahala Hiking Club, and attended and sang in the choir at Saint Francis Catholic Church. In 1979, Harvey returned to State Farm Insurance Company where he worked as a claims adjuster until retiring.
In retirement, Harvey spent part of each year in St. Petersburg, Florida where he continued to enjoy Fine Arts events, tennis, singing, swing dancing, and walking on the beach and throughout the St. Pete Bay Area. Harvey always looked forward to spending time with his children and grandchildren. In addition, he had a lifelong interest in sports and exercise, was an avid reader, and enjoyed cooking for people, especially, French and Italian cuisine. In 2013, he moved back closer to his children, residing in Clarkesville, Georgia and then Alpharetta, Georgia where he continued to enjoy the outdoors, walking, and singing.
In addition to his father, Harvey Russell and his mother, Eva, Harvey was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Samuel B. and Olga (Young) Edwards; his maternal grandfather, Joseph Melanson; his brothers and sisters, Rene Boulay, Beatrice Rioux, Irene Blair, Arthur Boulay, and Robert Boulay; and his grandson, Taylor Gregory Edwards.
He is survived by his sons, William (Bill) Harvey Edwards (Sandy) of Franklin, NC and Robert Joseph Edwards (Stephanie) of Waverly, Alabama; his daughters, Nancy Elaine Edwards Wood (Robbie) of Franklin, NC and Paula Marie Edwards Wonders (David) of Clarkesville, GA.; and their loving mother, Sharon Ann Stegeman Edwards. He is also survived by seven grandchildren. Ethan Troy Edwards of Auburn, Alabama; Lexie Elizabeth Edwards of Chapel Hill, NC; Lindsay Ann Wood of Franklin, NC; Emily Grace Wonders and Kevin Richard Wonders of Clarkesville, GA; and Audrey Ann Edwards and Samuel Glenn Edwards of Waverly Alabama.
His funeral Mass will be held Friday, November 3, 2017, at 4:00p.m. at St. Mark Catholic Church, Hwy 197 S., in Clarkesville, GA. Burial will be in Hillside Memorial Gardens, Clarkesville, GA.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org), or Agape Hospice Care Foundation, PO Box 801087, Acworth, GA 30101.
Funeral arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, 5495 Highway 197 S., Clarkesville, GA 30523. 706-754-6256
