Obituary for Charles Arthur Edwards
Charles Arthur Edwards passed away on Sunday March 3, 2019 at 2:10 pm from pneumonia at Gulfport Memorial Hospital.
Charlie was born the youngest of two children to Hansel and Ruth Welch, on June 28,1948 in Biloxi,Mississippi.He was later adopted by the Edwards family due to his mothers passing away when he was two. Charlie graduated high school and joined the U.S. Army, At the age of eighteen and did three voluntary tours in Vietnam from 1968-1969. He was in a construction battalion, a General's driver, and a radio operator. Years later he switched to the U,S. Air Force and retired from the U.S.Air National Guard in Gulfport, Mississippi as a 173rd Civil Engineer. He was married to the love of his life Donna Kay Smith in 1970 and had one child named Bianca Danielle Edwards Hale. Charlie was also a 3rd Degree Mason and loved helping out people who were in need. He was also a part of the VA and took great pride in being a Vietnam Veteran. He was often referred to as Charles Ray, which was given to him, by his peers.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents Hansel and Ruth Welch. Charles is survived by his only sibling, a sister Norma Reed of Waco Texas, His only child Bianca Danielle Hale of Vancleave Mississippi, 2 grandchildren Shelby Nicole Hale 20 of Southaven, Mississippi and Dakota Hunter Bird 13 of St Martin, Mississippi and one nephew Michael Reed of Waco, Texas and one niece Suzanne Reed of Waco, Texas.
It was Charlie's wishes to have a graveside at the Biloxi National on Pass Road, Wednesday March 20,2019 at 12:30 pm. Followed by a memorial to be held at his best friend Jerry O'Neal's home, at 4500 Twisted Run Lane in Vancleave, Mississippi from 2 o'clock until. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to the Humane Society and or the Veterans Administration.
Charlie was born the youngest of two children to Hansel and Ruth Welch, on June 28,1948 in Biloxi,Mississippi.He was later adopted by the Edwards family due to his mothers passing away when he was two. Charlie graduated high school and joined the U.S. Army, At the age of eighteen and did three voluntary tours in Vietnam from 1968-1969. He was in a construction battalion, a General's driver, and a radio operator. Years later he switched to the U,S. Air Force and retired from the U.S.Air National Guard in Gulfport, Mississippi as a 173rd Civil Engineer. He was married to the love of his life Donna Kay Smith in 1970 and had one child named Bianca Danielle Edwards Hale. Charlie was also a 3rd Degree Mason and loved helping out people who were in need. He was also a part of the VA and took great pride in being a Vietnam Veteran. He was often referred to as Charles Ray, which was given to him, by his peers.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents Hansel and Ruth Welch. Charles is survived by his only sibling, a sister Norma Reed of Waco Texas, His only child Bianca Danielle Hale of Vancleave Mississippi, 2 grandchildren Shelby Nicole Hale 20 of Southaven, Mississippi and Dakota Hunter Bird 13 of St Martin, Mississippi and one nephew Michael Reed of Waco, Texas and one niece Suzanne Reed of Waco, Texas.
It was Charlie's wishes to have a graveside at the Biloxi National on Pass Road, Wednesday March 20,2019 at 12:30 pm. Followed by a memorial to be held at his best friend Jerry O'Neal's home, at 4500 Twisted Run Lane in Vancleave, Mississippi from 2 o'clock until. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to the Humane Society and or the Veterans Administration.