Ernest Aaron Edwards, Jr., 82, of Tifton died Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2009, in the Memorial Chapel of Tifton’s First Baptist Church. Dr. Wayne Roe and Dr. W. Ches Smith, III will officiate with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Darryl Dean, Derrick Viel, Darren Connell, Dr. Steve Rigdon, Fred Rigdon, Tony Bailey, Paul Gaines and Melvin Merrill will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult Sunday School Class of Tifton’s First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 30, 2009, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.
Mr. Edwards was born on October 11, 1926 in Sandersville and was the son of Ernest Aaron Edwards, Sr. and Hattie Davis Edwards, both deceased. He was a member of Tifton’s First Baptist Church. He received his Bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts and his Master’s degree of Fine Arts from the University of Georgia and his Ph.D. from Florida State University.
He taught for 33 years at ABAC, including English, Humanities and Music and was the recipient of the first teaching award in 1965 for Outstanding Teacher and was beloved by the staff, students and faculty of ABAC. He was the organist for Tifton’s First Baptist Church for over 50 years and known throughout the state of Georgia for his talent as a musician and performing artist.
Mr. Edwards is survived by his caretakers, Jennifer, Silas, Cora Decker, Debbie Smith, Ann Smith and Robert Smith; and four special friends, Helen Rainer, Darryl Dean, Betty Kickliter and Nell Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the ABAC Music Department.