Rev. Joe Ronald Edwards

   Rev. Joe Ronald Edwards, age 90 of Shelby, NC, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

   He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Elizabeth Louise Edwards of the home, two daughters, Donna Pendleton of Lawndale, NC, and Debra Jones of Lattimore, NC, four grandchildren, Christina Hamrick (Chad) of Lattimore, NC, Michael Pendleton (Beth) of Fallston, NC, Jason Pendleton (Lisa) of Shelby, NC, and Stephanie Bristol (Sonny) of Lattimore, NC, seven great grandchildren, Noah Cline, Maura Pendleton, McKenzie Pendleton, Marissa Pendleton, Sophie Bristol, Styler Bristol, and Sonny Bristol, III, a brother, Don Edwards of Charleston, SC, and numerous nieces and nephews.

   Born October 14, 1933, in Lavonia, Georgia, Rev. Joe Edwards was the son of the late Bethel E. Edwards and Pearl Franks Edwards and was preceded in death by three brothers, Milton Edwards, Lloyd Edwards, and Herman Edwards.

   Joe retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1972 as a Master Sergeant.  He was a veteran of the Korean War.  Joe was a 1952 graduate of Parker High School in Greenville, SC.  He was also a graduate of Gardner-Webb University and attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Joe was a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church in Shelby, NC.  Joe had also pastored Highland Home Baptist Church in Rotan, TX, and several Baptist Churches in Cleveland County, NC, which included, Pisgah, Lattimore, Christian Freedom, and Mt. Zion.  Joe had also served as Director of the French Broad Baptist Association in Mars Hill, NC, where he took early retirement in 1991.  Joe also served as Senior Chaplain of the Civil Air Patrol Squadron in Shelby for 18 years.

   A graveside service will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Cleveland Memorial Park conducted by Rev. Tom Runyon.  The family will be available to share memories following the service at the cemetery.

   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, 501^st Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Beaver Dam Baptist Church, 123 Beaver Dam Church Road, Shelby, NC 28152.

   To sign the guest book, please go to www.clevelandfuneralservices.com.

   A service of Cleveland Funeral Services & Crematory, Inc.