Retired Master Sergeant Darrel Edwards

Retired Master Sergeant Darrel Edwards, 75, of Blytheville, passed away Friday, December 16, 2016 at Great River Medical Center.

Darrel was born to Frank and Edith (Nelson) Edwards in Aurora, Illinois. He retired from the United States Air Force after 26 years of service. He served in the Vietnam and Korean wars. Darrel also served as a military police officer for 8 years during the Cuban Crisis and received top security clearance. He received three accommodation medals during his time in the Air Force. After retirement from the Air Force, he began working for the United States Post Office and retired after 14 years. Darrel had a passion for helping people. His love for mission work began with Gospel Lighthouse Church's First Annual Thanksgiving dinner. He took his first missionary trip to El Paso, Texas and went on many mission trips to include the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky, New Creations of Richmond, Indiana, and many trips across the United States to feed the hungry. Darrel was an active member of Pathway Church of God. His family was his life and he was a sports enthusiast. He loved to watch the Arkansas Razorbacks, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals, and the University of Illinois football.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Edwards; and sister, Camilla Merritt.

Darrel leaves his wife of 47 years, Mary Edwards of the home; two daughters, Michelle Adams of West Plains, Missouri and Krystle Powers and her husband Michael of Bay Minette, Alabama; brother-in-law, Norman Carte and his wife Connie of West Plains, Missouri; three grandchildren, Brooke and husband Donald McCarn, Patrick and wife Nikki Hatfield, and Caleb Powers; three great- grandchildren, Skyler McCarn, Paris McCarn, and Natalie Hatfield; a niece, Melissa Tomovick and a great-niece, Chloe Tomovick, both of West Plains, Missouri; and special friends Roger and Kathy Sloan of Blytheville.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 20 at Pathway Church of God with Rev. Danny Rigney and Rev. L.V. Rigney officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21 at the Howell Valley Cemetery in West Plains, Missouri.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.