Father Byron Edwards

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- Father Byron Huntley Edwards, 84, of Morris Chapel, Tenn., died Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in Savannah, Tenn.

He was born July 10, 1925, in Portageville, son of Stanley F. and Kitty Lee Adams Edwards.

Father Byron was a 1943 graduate of Portageville High School. He served in the Navy during World War II. He then attended Vanderbilt University and graduated from St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He returned to Portageville and owned and operated Edwards Pharmacy until 1984.

He entered Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis. Father Byron was ordained Dec. 19, 1987, by Bishop John J. Leibrecht, D.D., Ph.D., for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

Missouri parishes where Father Byron served include Sacred Heart Parish in Caruthersville, Mo., Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Pulaskifield, Mo., St. Edward Parish in Cassville, and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Sikeston, Mo. He retired in 1993 due to health reasons, and resided in Morris Chapel until his death.

Survivors include a niece, Cindy Edwards Chenault of Gulfport, Miss.; two nephews, Hal Edwards II of Melbourne, Texas, James Allen of Belton, Texas; a sister-in-law, Donna Edwards Gullett of Cottonport, La.; numerous great-nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Hal Edwards.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at St. Eustachius Church in Portageville. A prayer service will be held at 7.

The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. The Most Rev. James V. Johnston Jr., bishop of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese, will preside at the funeral liturgy. Also present will be the Most Rev. John J. Leibrecht, bishop-emeritus, and brother priests.

DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville is in charge of arrangements.

Please send condolences to the family online at delislefuneralhome.net.