Alvin Russell Edwards

Alvin Russell Edwards (“Happy”) was born on May 1, 1920 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the third born of the late Esther Williams Edwards Jennings and Charles Edwards. God called him home on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 7:50 a.m., as he peacefully rested at home.He accepted Christ as his personal savior at an early age and was baptized at Faith Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Simon Williamson. Alvin loved the Lord, his church family and his pastor. Over the years, he served on the Trustee Board, Male Chorus and Choir. Alvin was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System. He was a proud graduate of the Dunbar High School, Class of 1941. He served in the United States Army from September 1942 until December 1945. While in the Army, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with the 428th Signal Construction Battalion as a telephone and telegraph lineman.On March 4, 1950, Alvin was united in holy matrimony with Alma Louise Bacon. From this union one daughter, Benita, was born. During their 57 years together, they enjoyed a loving and committed marriage. Together, they served the community, became surrogate parents to a number of children and opened their home to family, students and others. In recognition of their service to the community, they were featured in the 1993 March Funeral Home Calendar. Alvin was employed by Edgewood Arsenal and retired from the United States Postal Service in 1978, after 33 years of service. In addition, he had a number of part-time jobs to support his family and extended family. Alvin worked at Memorial Stadium, the Civic Center, the bowling alley, special events at the University of Maryland and he was a handy-man. In addition, he worked as a sexton at his beloved church. Alvin loved music and singing. The solos that will be sung today were two of his old favorites. He was a sports fan who loved the Orioles, the Ravens and Shaquille O’Neill. He also loved to eat good food and have his dessert immediately following the meal. After eating he would say “cake, cake,” which meant cake and two kinds of ice cream. Alvin was a “Happy” man who loved family gatherings and socializing with friends and neighbors, and participating in the Keswick Adult Day Care Program. He was a true humanitarian, nothing was too small or too big to handle for a friend, and he was always willing to go the extra mile to help anyone. He leaves to cherish precious memories: his beloved wife, Alma L. Edwards; his daughter, Benita Edwards Wilson; adopted son, Stanley Scott (Jennifer); brother, Charles M. Edwards; sisters, Mattie J. Lewis, Beulah Lang, Thelma Erwin and Denzimore Jennings; sister-in law, Louise Edwards; nephews, John M. Bacon (Barbria) of Charlotte, NC, Kenneth L. Lewis (Linda) of Detroit, MI, Raymond T. Erwin and Jerome Jennings; nieces, Nellie Johnson, Janet Q. Bacon, Jacqueline Lang Green (Lance), Aretha J. Ector (Jeffrey); great-nephews and –nieces, Brent Bacon, Oliver Bacon, Bradford Lewis, Myles Lewis, Dallas Ector, Zuri Lewis, Jada Ector and Alexis Green; grandchildren, LaTasha McCalop, Diana Scott and Stanley Scott; great-grandchildren; great-great-niece, Niraje¢ Bacon; great-great-nephew, Brendon Bacon; faithful friends, Melvin Bracy and Wendell Dixon; adopted daughters, Paulette Carter, Cynthia Lomax and Patrice Stewart; and a host of cousins, extended family members and friends.

Tributes

Alvin Russell Edwards

May 1, 1920 - June 21, 2007