Harold Edwards
d. September 15, 2023
Harold Edwards Obituary
Harold Rike Edwards, Sr., aged 92, peacefully passed away on September 15, 2023, near his home in Pleasant Grove, Alabama. He was born to Johnie Chelsey and Ruth Anna (Sullivan) Edwards on February 27, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Harold attended Ensley High School before being drafted to serve in the Korean War, serving from November 1951 through October 1953, ultimately earning an honorable discharge with the rank of Corporal. Following his military service, he embarked on a 30+ year career at US Steel in Ensley. He loved Pleasant Grove, where he spent all of his adult life.
Harold was the loving father of Lucretia Ruth (Welch) and Harold Rike Edwards, Jr., and son-in-law Michael Little Welch, all of whom preceded him in death, along with his parents, Johnie and Ruth, and his brothers Gerald, William "Bill," and Joseph "Joe." He is survived by his grandchildren and their spouses: Clint (Denise), Landon (Stephanie), Nathan (Amanda), Katelyn (Josh), Joe (Ali), Laney (Jordan). He was also a doting "Paw Paw" to ten great grand children: Connor, Bronx, Maddie, Noah, Samuel, Judah, Skarlett, Ava, Lucy, and Ruth Ann.
Harold will be remembered for the profound love he bestowed upon his family, his rambunctious personality, and his unyielding passion for competition. He spent countless evenings in the woods hunting raccoons with his closest friends, logged thousands of miles flying racing pigeons as a member of a local club, and meticulously tracked every aspect of his children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's lives. Harold is famous for his ability to work his way into comical situations, only to find even more hilarious routes out of these typically self-inflicted jams.
Harold took pride in mentoring multiple generations of raccoon hunters around the Southeast. Bonds created on these adventures remained as strong as those within his own family. Harold's passion for helping people in need burned brightly through the end of his life. Despite his declining health in recent years, he consistently reminded those around him of his good fortune compared to others. He put this philosophy into practice by donating to St. Jude's Hospital, multiple local churches, and surprising friends' and family's children with gifts that parents often failed to recognize as essential. Harold is larger than life and leaves a legacy that will never be matched.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. with a memorial service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Garywood Assembly of God, 2730 Allison Bonnett Memorial Drive, Hueytown, Alabama 35023.
Harold Rike Edwards, Sr., aged 92, peacefully passed away on September 15, 2023, near his home in Pleasant Grove, Alabama. He was born to Johnie Chelsey and Ruth Anna (Sullivan) Edwards on February 27, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama.
Harold attended Ensley High School before being drafted to serve in the Korean War, serving from November 1951 through October 1953, ultimately earning an honorable discharge with the rank of Corporal. Following his military service, he embarked on a 30+ year career at US Steel in Ensley. He loved Pleasant Grove, where he spent all of his adult life.
Harold was the loving father of Lucretia Ruth (Welch) and Harold Rike Edwards, Jr., and son-in-law Michael Little Welch, all of whom preceded him in death, along with his parents, Johnie and Ruth, and his brothers Gerald, William "Bill," and Joseph "Joe." He is survived by his grandchildren and their spouses: Clint (Denise), Landon (Stephanie), Nathan (Amanda), Katelyn (Josh), Joe (Ali), Laney (Jordan). He was also a doting "Paw Paw" to ten great grand children: Connor, Bronx, Maddie, Noah, Samuel, Judah, Skarlett, Ava, Lucy, and Ruth Ann.
Harold will be remembered for the profound love he bestowed upon his family, his rambunctious personality, and his unyielding passion for competition. He spent countless evenings in the woods hunting raccoons with his closest friends, logged thousands of miles flying racing pigeons as a member of a local club, and meticulously tracked every aspect of his children's, grandchildren's, and great-grandchildren's lives. Harold is famous for his ability to work his way into comical situations, only to find even more hilarious routes out of these typically self-inflicted jams.
Harold took pride in mentoring multiple generations of raccoon hunters around the Southeast. Bonds created on these adventures remained as strong as those within his own family. Harold's passion for helping people in need burned brightly through the end of his life. Despite his declining health in recent years, he consistently reminded those around him of his good fortune compared to others. He put this philosophy into practice by donating to St. Jude's Hospital, multiple local churches, and surprising friends' and family's children with gifts that parents often failed to recognize as essential. Harold is larger than life and leaves a legacy that will never be matched.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. with a memorial service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Garywood Assembly of God, 2730 Allison Bonnett Memorial Drive, Hueytown, Alabama 35023.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Harold Edwards, please visit our flower store.