Sept. 19, 1927 — May 23, 2014

NATCHEZ — Funeral services for Gayle Earl Edwards, 86, of Natchez, who died Friday, May 23, 2014, at Magnolia House, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennis Flach officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Tuesday until time of service at the funeral home.

Mr. Edwards was born Sept. 17, 1927, in Grand Ledge, Mich., the son of Earl and Lila Edwards.

He was a sergeant in the Korean War, where he enlisted after high school. He served as county president of the Cattleman Association. He was on the board of directors and commissioner of Natchez Dixie Youth Baseball and was a 4-H leader, where he enjoyed following the youth of the area excel.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife and mother of his children, Ellen Blanchard Edwards; and his second wife, Sue Riley Edwards.

Survivors include four children, Mary Lees Edwards Wilson, Gary Edwards and wife, Jeanne, Duke Edwards and wife, Paula, and Gigi Edwards Johnson; four grandchildren, Stephen Edwards and wife, Mary-Margaret, Caroline Hinson and husband, Murphy, Justin Johnson and wife, Melissa, and Preston Edwards; and two great-grandchildren, Houston and Annie Edwards.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Edwards, Justin Johnson, Preston Edwards, Murphy Hinson, Van Voss and Sylvester Harris.

Honorary pallbearers will be the friends of his hunting fraternity.

Following the service, there will be a repast at Pinecrest Plantation, the family home.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Magnolia House and Camellia Hospice and all caregivers.

Memorials may be made to Cathedral School or a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.