Allen Henry Edwards passed away on February 8, 2013, at the age of 91. He was born August 6, 1921 in Essex Junction, Vermont , the fourth of five children of Henry Bixby Edwards and Ella St. Amour. He entered the United States Navy when World War II was declared and remained in active service for 20 years, including combat tours in the South Pacific and the Korean Conflict. After retirement from the Navy, he graduated from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama, with a degree in education, and worked for the Santa Rosa County School System as a sixth grade math teacher at Pace Junior High School for ten years. Following this, he was employed by Point Baker Water System for several years. Allen met Mary Frances Beasley of Pike County , Alabama while stationed at Whiting Field, Milton . They married in August of 1948 at the Shiloh Community Baptist Church near Brundidge, Alabama . It was at that country church that Allen’s spiritual birth took place. After marriage, Allen and Frances made their first home in Milton, Florida, where their only child was born. Frances was the love of his life. They were together forty six years until her passing in 1994 after a long physical decline. Although she suffered through many infirmities, he never wavered as her loving and devoted caregiver. Allen and Frances became members of First Baptist Church in Milton in 1948. They again rejoined the congregation in 1967 on returning to Milton permanently. He regularly attended church services, and was the teacher of a Senior Men’s Sunday School Class for many years. In April of 1995, Allen married Verlie Voncile Bass Glover of Milton, a delightful Christian lady of strong spiritual faith and devotion. She was his comfort and companion for fifteen years. He was proud to associate with Santa Rosa Masonic Lodge No. 16 in Milton, attaining the rank of 32nd Degree Mason. He is survived by his son Ben A. Edwards and daughter-in-law Donna Lee Edwards of Pace, Florida, his grandchildren Ninalee R. (Greg) Beckham of Palm Bay, Florida, Parker B. Edwards, and Sarah F. Edwards (both of Pace, Florida), and his great-grandchild Claire Annalee Beckham (Ninalee and Greg). He is also survived by his sister Mary (Kasimer) Kowalski of Stonington, Connecticut who remembers him fondly. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Frances, his wife Verlie Voncile, both his parents, two brothers (Harold and Raymond), and his sister (Edith Norton). Allen enjoyed and took special pleasure in fishing. In every season, he spent many hours on the rivers, creeks, and bays of the local waters. He especially cherished the quiet twilight hour of the outgoing tide, when only a slow movement of the oar was needed to control the boat, and every cast into the flooded reeds held promise of a lunker, anxious for its last meal of the day. The family wishes to extend their profound appreciation to the administrative staff, nurses, and caregivers at Santa Rosa Health and Rehabilitation Center , Milton , who watched over him and ministered to him until the end. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Bereavement Committee of First Baptist Church, Milton. Visitation will be 1:00 – 2:00 on Friday, February 15, 2013 at Lewis Funeral Home, Milton. Services will follow at 2:00, Dr. David Spencer officiating. Burial will be at Crain Cemetery, Milton with family only attending. Lewis Funeral Home, Milton is in charge of arrangements.