Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Edwards, Ernest George Sr. December 10, 1970
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Deborah VanDeveer http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00034.html#0008482 June 13, 2026, 3:10 pm

The Virginian-Pilot, Friday, December 11, 1970
Ernest G. Edwards Sr., 64, Of Norfolk Boat Club

NORFOLK - Ernest George Edwards Sr., 63, of 818 Hayes St., retired bartender, 
custodian, and caretake of Norfolk Boat Club died Thursday at 2:07 a.m. in a 
hospital.

A native of Norfolk, he was a son of George and Mrs. Ida Edwards and the husband 
of Mrs. Annie Edwards.

He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

From 1928 until the time of his retirement in February 1965, he was with the 
Norfolk Boat Club. He also was employed as a clerk at the Norfolk Customs House 
form 1941 until the time of his death.

At the time of his retirement from the Boat Club in 1969, Edwards was honored 
with a farewell dinner by 50 member of the club.

On the occasion he was presented a Gruen watch and cigarette lighter inscribed 
"From your boys..."

"It is true that he was a bartender, custodian, and caretaker," one member of 
the club said at the dinner, "but over the years he became more than that. He 
was our keeper of the flame."

Another said, "He arranged the menus and service for our parties. He let us know 
when the parties became too loud. He refereed arguments and sounded the bell 
when fights broke out. He nursed many a sick lady and escorted many a 'weary' 
gentleman home. He listened to our trouble and was stingy with advice."

Responding to the tributes, Edwards said, "Coming down here nights was never a 
job to me. It was always pleasure."

Edwards was known for his ready wit. In commenting on the fact that he put three 
of his five children through college, on one occasion he quipped. "It would have 
been four, but he wanted to get married instead. He's really getting an 
education now."

Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons, Ernest G. Edwards Jr., Frank 
Edwards, Frederick Edwards, and Robert Edwards of Norfolk; a daughter, Mrs. Ruby 
Watkins of Richmond; a sister, Mrs. Louis Smith of Norfolk; 13 grandchildren; 
and four great-grandchildren.

The body was taken to Riddick Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made American 
Cancer Society.

A funeral service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. in Mt. Olive Baptist Church by 
the Rev. Henry T. Myers. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with Riddick Funeral 
Service in charge.

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