Charles Otis Edwards, 82, of Troy, Ill., born March 4, 1933, in Malden, Mo., died Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at Anderson Hospital, Maryville, Ill.


Charles was the Pastor of the House of Prayer, New Douglas, Ill., for over 30 years. He retired from SMC Lawn Maintenance, and continued on to work on small engines. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting, and sitting on his porch and bird watching. His smile grew larger watching his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Bessie, nee Williamson, Edwards; and a brother, Curtis Edwards.

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Aloma J., nee Sumner, Edwards of Troy, Ill.; his children, Charles (Robin) Edwards, Tony (Michelle) Edwards, and Paul (Linda) Edwards, all of Piggot, Ark., Timothy Bahr of Collinsville, Ill., Dennis Bahr of Troy, Ill., William (Jeanie) Edwards of Highland, Ill., Onna-Marie (Mark) Bullard of Troy, Ill., Sheila (Mark) Pierce of Buloxi, Miss., and Mark (Kimberly) Edwards of Columbus, Ohio; 22 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Jame (Phyllis) Stephens of New Douglas, Ill.; two sisters, Alreda Fennell of New Douglas, Ill., and Deloma Canterbury of Arkansas. He was an uncle, cousin, and friend.

Memorials may be made to the Siteman Cancer Center for Leukemia Research.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at: www.Richesonfh.com.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, July, 26, 2015, at the House of Prayer, 511 West Garner St., New Douglas, Ill.

Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 26, 2015, at the church.

RICHESON FUNERAL HOME, Troy, Ill.