Funeral Services for Mr. Claybon J. Edwards: A Life Well Lived

Fort Valley, Georgia - On Tuesday morning, November 3, 2015, Claybon Jerome Edwards silently entered into eternal rest, with his loving wife, Mary at his side.

Claybon was born on July 15, 1929. He was the fifth child born to the parentage of Martin and Julia Mitchell Edwards. Both parents preceded him in death as well as his sister, Eloise E. Stinson, Chicago, IL and his brother, Andrew Edwards, Sr., Fort Valley, GA and step-mother, Rilla King Edwards, Fort Valley, GA.

He grew up in a Christian home and at an early age he accepted Christ and connected with Trinity Baptist Church in Fort Valley, GA.

Claybon graduated from Henry A. Hunt High School and was active in all aspects of the school excelling in football which earned him a scholarship to Morris Brown College in Atlanta, GA. He was drafted into the military. He served his country during the Korean Conflict. After an honorable discharge from the Army he went to work as an Insurance Representative for Supreme Life Insurance Company of Chicago, IL. While serving as District Manager of Supreme Life Insurance Company he enrolled and graduated from Worsham Mortuary College of Chicago, IL.

His native home of Fort Valley was always very dear to him, so he yielded to the call of his father and brother and returned to serve and lend his expertise in the family business, Edwards Funeral Home. During his service and tenure at the funeral home he touched the lives of many families who he embraced as his life-long friends and the friendships were returned. It was after his return to Fort Valley he met and married the love of his life Mary. They were married for 45 years. They were blessed with one daughter. Denise. Organizations and affiliations to which Claybon served faithfully:

Member and Ordained Deacon – Trinity Baptist Church Trustee Board
Morris Brown College ï'·
Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity
Executive Board of Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association (G.F.S.P.A.)
Executive Board H.E.A.T (Heat Energy Assistance Team)
Fort Valley City Council (12 Years) ï'·
Peach County Chamber of Commerce
Peach County Planning and Zoning Board
Hunt Education and Cultural Center
Georgia Department of Labor ï'·
Minority Advisory Committee ï'·
Sun Mark Bank Advisory Board ï'·
Georgia State Personnel Board ï'·
President Alpha Gamma Chapter of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity ï'·
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity (Life Member) ï'·
Board of Directors Evening Optimist (Life Member) ï'·
32° Degree Shriners ï'·
Powersville Masonic Lodge #134 (Life Member)

He leaves to cherish his memory now and always: a devoted wife, Mary J. Edwards; daughter, Denise E. Small (Anthany), Fort Valley; four grandchildren: Sabastian Alan Walker(Nyla) , Las Vegas, CA, Samantha Allysia Lamb (William), Ewa Beach, HI, Courtney Denise Small and Caitlin D'Anthany Small both of Fort Valley, GA. A special family addition, a great-grand daughter, Saniya LaNee' Walker. Sisters: Mary Julia Marshall, Fort Valley, GA, Mildred Stinson and Hazel Edwards both of Chicago, IL, Rose Washington, Las Vegas, NV, Jeanette Huff, Fort Valley, GA and Joann(Eldridge), and Juanita, South Carolina; nieces, Karen Marshall, Fort Valley, GA, Dianne Rutherford (Kenneth), Atlanta, GA, Cassandra Cotton, San Antonio, TX, Arita Edwards Torrence, CA, Sharon Williams, Chicago, IL, Angela Jones, Barbara Boatner and Cynthia Brown, Chicago, Il; nephews: Andrew (Thelma) Edwards, Fort Valley, GA and Ronnie (Dedita) Williams, Perry, GA; aunt, Sarah Harris, Fort Valley, GA; brother-in-law, Richard (Bernice) Jones, Fort Valley, GA; sisters-in-law, Gracie (Homer) Wright, Warner Robins, GA, Terrie (Johnny) Felton, Fayetteville, NC and Dempsey Beachum, Warner Robins, GA; a host of other family members and many sorrowing friends.

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Omega-Omega Service will be held on Friday, November 6, 2015 in the sanctuary of&Trinity Baptist Church of Fort Valley, GA.

Public viewing will be held at the CJ Edwards Funeral Home MemorialChapel on Saturday, November 7, 2015 from 12 noon until 6:00 PM.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at3:00 PM in the Peach County High School Auditorium.

A Family Burial will take place on Monday at 11:00 AM at theWillowlake Memorial Gardens Cemetery