Howard Ester Edwards Jr. of Wendell, NC, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved him dearly.
Below, the simplest tribute: the truth of a life as it was lived.
Howard spent his working life as ['Lithographic Pressman with the N'] — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
It is the small moments that often matter most.
Howard Ester Edwards, Jr. April 15, 1936 – May 3, 2026
WENDELL – Howard Ester Edwards, Jr., 90, of Wendell, NC, went Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
He was born on April 15, 1936, in Wake County, NC, a son of the late Howard Ester Edwards, Sr. and Laura Beatrice Carter. He lived all his life in the Wake County area where he worked as a Lithographic Pressman with the N.C. Agriculture Extension Service. He was a Deacon, since 1967, at the Baptist Tabernacle Church and was a valued member of the Old Time Spirit Quartet.
He is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Tally Edwards; a son, Robbie Edwards (Tammy); four grandchildren, Amanda Sutton (Jeremy), Melissa Edwards (Andrew), Brandon Loosman (Carie), and Kalea Parker (Matthew); four great grandchildren, Colby Sutton, Mayson Parker, Parker Sutton, and Hudson Sutton; and a sister, Betty Hocutt.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a sister.
A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday May 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Baptist Tabernacle Church with Pastor Glen Brock officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church fellowship hall. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Baptist Tabernacle Church, 1599 NC Hwy 231, Wendell, NC, 27591, or to the Kennedy Home, 2557 Cedar Dell Ln., Kinston, NC, 28504.
Arrangements are with Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, 211 W. Third St., Wendell. www.stricklandfuneral.com
