Tommy Allen Edwards

It is with a heavy heart that the family of Tommy A. Edwards, 80, announce that he passed from this life on June 21, 2022. He battled with lung and heart issues for the last few years, and he passed at his home of 47 years on Shadow Lane while in his sleep. Tommy was born on April 12, 1942, one of 13 children, to the late Walter and Arretta Edwards in Sylacauga, AL. As a child, he moved to Gadsden, AL where he lived until he joined the military in November of 1959. He served until November of 1963. Anyone who met Tommy would quickly know that his service shaped the remainder of his life, and he was a proud U.S. Marine! He began working at age 10 at Meadow Gold Dairies in Gadsden. He went back to work there after returning home from the Marine Corps and was transferred to Cartersville in the 60s. Many people in Bartow County crossed paths with Tommy either from his days as a milkman, his time as a building supply salesman at Townsend Supply, Penny Pinchers and Green and Harris, his stint at the Quick Mart on Tennessee Street, his 10-year service to the Bartow County Sheriff’s Department and his time spent with Harbin Clinic Security making sure everyone made it safely to their vehicles at night. He finally retired in 2020 – but only because his children forced him due to COVID fears. He was a hard-working, loyal employee for 60+ years. Tommy is preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife for 47 years, Charlene (Weaver) Edwards, his parents, brothers – Walter Jr, Doug, Roger and Donnie Edwards and sister - Peggy Lipscomb. He is survived by his children - Angie (James) West, Kim (Larry) Kambas, Pam (Wayne) Collins, Barry (Karen) Edwards, Michael (Dawn) Anderson and Christy Hammonds, his grandchildren – Ashley Watkins, Ken West, Eric and Alaina Totten, Brandi Archer, Karly Merced, Andy and Elijah Edwards, Kylie Anderson and Emily Hammonds, 18 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, brothers – Robert, Jimmy, Gary, David, and Mitchell Edwards and sisters – Connie Edwards and Wanda Whisenant, and way too many nieces and nephews to count. He requested that there be no funeral or memorial service as these events would make his “eyes sweat” – Marines don’t cry. He did not want tears after his death only happy memories. Tommy lived life to the fullest, never knew a stranger, had a kind and helpful heart, was a huge flirt with the ladies and always had a joke or a story to tell (often inappropriate). He was loved beyond belief and will be dearly missed. If you knew Tommy and would like to honor his memory, he requested that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. If you would like for the family to be notified of your donation – please have the acknowledgement sent to kimkambas@bellsouth.net or Kim Kambas, 975 Settlers Ridge Rd; Ellijay, GA 30540. Semperfi Tommy, Daddy, Paw-Paw!