Lewis Ira Edwards Jr., 63, passed away December 9, 2017. He was born on Saturday, January 24, 1954, to Rev. Lewis Ira Edwards Sr. and Virginia Lee Oliver Edwards in Atlanta, Texas.
After graduating High School and taking a few college courses, he joined the Army. While stationed at Ft. Riley, KS met his wife Janille. They wed October 1976 and had three children. Shonell, Tyrece, and Kesa. He is also father to Kenya DuSon and Bralen Edwards.
Lewis found his passion as an over the road/long distance Truck Driver, and drove for 35 years and could give directions to anywhere in the U.S from memory. He was a CB enthusiast and known to many as “Gate Keeper” or “Beach Nut” and loved to “shoot skip” on his CB radio and often participated in competitions. He loved to share his stories and experiences with anyone who would listen, even if you had heard them several times before. He never met a stranger, and enjoyed going for a ride on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and never hesitated to help others.
He is preceded in death by: his parents; Mother, Virginia Lee Oliver Edwards Crawford (Henry), of Altus, OK; Rev. Lewis Ira Edwards Sr., and step-mother Jeanie Dell Anderson Edwards of Texarkana; Brother, Reginald LoKeith Anderson, Texarkana; and Father-in-Law, Leroy Nevins Jr., of Hill City, KS.
He is survived by his wife, Janille, of Salina; Sons, Tyrece Edwards (Salina) Kenya DuSon (Texarkana), and Bralen Edwards (Mesquite). Daughters, Shonell Edwards (Salina), Kesa Edwards (Overland Park, KS). Four sisters; Joyce Edwards White of Richardson, TX. Angela Edwards of Houston, TX, Gwen (Ralph) Barker and Debbie Edwards, of Altus, OK. Brothers; Carl D. (Brandi) Edwards, Lawton, OK, Kevin Anderson, Texarkana. Weldon Anderson, Houston, Marcus (Melody) Edwards, Hartford, CT and Tracey Edwards, Dallas. Seven grandchildren; Teja, Taryn, Ja’Nesa, Sariya Edwards, and Riley Van Auken (Salina); Qyuana, and Roland DuSon (Texarkana), and Destiny DuSon (San Antonio), Texas. A host of nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Funeral services will be held December 16th, 2017 at New Town Baptist Church, Texarkana, Texas. Visitation is scheduled from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m., with services beginning at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Chapelwood Memorial Gardens 826 N. Kings Hwy, Wake Village, TX 75501. Reception will be held at the church.
Memorial service will be at 12 p.m., December 23rd, @ St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, 215 S. Chicago with a light reception and fellowship to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, 215 S. Chicago, Salina, KS 67401.