Robert James Edwards

Robert James Edwards, age 78, of Clarkton, NC, passed away at his home on Monday, August 21, 2023.

Born in Bladen County, NC on November 4, 1944, he was a son of the late Leonard Ezzell and Dottie (Edwards) Johnson. Robert was a proud veteran of the United States Army. He worked as a talented general contractor for many years.

Robert was a man of many passions; family always came first. He taught his children to ride dirt bikes and go-karts on the canal banks of Delaware City and also brought them along on many of his contracting jobs. Robert, his family, and friends would gather for what they called “crab fest”, picking crabs on a makeshift table of 4 x 8 plywood. He was also a renowned contractor, and could fix just about anything in regards to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Robert was an innovator and inventor. He applied for a patent on a “gutter garden” he designed. Another passion was being a ham radio operator, this allowed Robert to communicate with others worldwide. His problem-solving skills enhanced his ability to build superior antennas that were used by many of his fellow operators. Once he retired, Robert and his loving wife, Lee moved to North Carolina. There he discovered his passion for gardening, he worked a one-acre plot and grew a variety of crops, which were sought after by many locals. Robert’s claim to fame was his sweet home-grown watermelons.

In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his brothers, Boyd Johnson, and Dewey Ezzell; son, Robert Earl Edwards; and two granddaughters, Alicea Haiden and Kirsten Peace. He is survived by his loving wife, Frances Edwards; daughters, Annette “Joy” Edwards (Wayne T. Kraft) of Tomahawk, WI, and Tammy Edwards of Delaware City; sisters, Mary Kemp, Doris Unruh, and Deborah Woolley; and grandchildren, James Haiden, Michael Peace, and Cassandra Peace.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 214 Clinton Street, Delaware City, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow in Sudlersville Cemetery, Sudlersville, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Robert’s memory to the American Lung Association, National Direct Response, PO Box 756, Osceola, WI 54020-0756 or online by clicking here.