Eddie Lee Edwards

Eddie Lee Simmons Edwards departed earth on, Saturday, April 6, 2019. Eddie was born on Tuesday, October 7, 1930, in Hayti, Missouri. It was a rainy, windy, and cloudy day with a temperature of 30 degrees. His parents, who preceded him in death, Reverend Robert A. Martin Edwards and Lelia B. Simmons Edwards, were ushering in their fourth child of the eventual seven.

 

Eddie confessed his faith at an early age and would eventually attend seminary after graduating with honors from Steagall High School in Humboldt, Tennessee. Eddie's favorite school subjects were writing, public speaking, debate, auto shop and history.  

 

After a year at seminary, Eddie decided to attend the family alma mater, Lane College.  During his sophomore year, he was drafted into the Army for service in Korea. The family constantly had service drapes and stars in the windows of their homes. The Edwards family had two sons in WWII and two sons in Korea. During Eddie’s three years of service, he obtained the rank of Sargent and was waiting for confirmation of Master Sargent before his Honorable Discharge.

 

Eddie continued his college education after his discharge, graduating from Columbia College in June 1956. During his last year of college, he met the love of his life, Helen Frances Harvey, and they secretly married on August 4, 1956. This union produced their only child, Francier, in 1958.

 

Ed was always industrious and worked his way through college with the aid of the GI Bill, boxing (52 wins and 0 loses), and working at Central Cold Storage. He advanced at Central to become a Supervisor and Union Stewart for the Teamsters, working alongside his two brothers- in-law, George and Homer Harvey. Eddie later accepted a position with L.H. Frohman and Sons International as an Account Executive in 1970, until the company’s closure. Afterwards, he accepted a position of Director of Sales at Midwest Seafood. Following his retirement, he and his daughter opened and maintained Edwards Seafood Brokerage until 2008. 

 

Eddie loved his family and his community. He also enjoyed mentoring many young men on Automotive Repair and gave them extensive lessons about being men (wanted or not). Eddie could repair anything; no plumber or electrician was ever hired. He was willing to aid his neighbors and believed in waste not, want not. He lived by ‘God bless the child that has got his own.’ A lifelong learner and news junkie, he listened to WBBM radio all day and night.

 

Ed loved wrestling, boxing matches, and working on his cars. He had a sweet tooth, loved any kind of beans, Lem’s barbecue, brisket, brats, an occasional beer, and a good political debate. He loved music, especially blues. In his youth, he loved dancing the night away at parties with his sweetheart, Helen. His favorite artists were BB King, Gladys Knight, and Tina Turner.

 

Eddie leaves behind his daughter Francier; brother, Edwin A. Edwards;  grandsons:  Darry (Francier) and Carnell (Craig); sister-in-law, Roseanna N. (Alvin) Edwards; brother-in-law, Homer (Mary) Harvey, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, many cousins, the loving and supportive White and Gay families,  Craig, 7600 Eberhart Block Club, Columbia College Alumni Association, Wisconsin Badger Friends, goddaughter, Brother Tribe, and many others.

 

Eddie was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen F. Harvey Edwards (12-20-2018); three brothers:   Jamie, Alvin and Isaiah and two sisters: Marion and Earnestine.

Funeral Service

Taylor Funeral Home LTD

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 10:00 AM 63 East 79th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60619 Directions  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eddie Lee Edwards, please visit our floral store.