Funeral services are scheduled for 12:00 noon on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Marshall, Texas. Interment, with military honors, will be at Liberty Cemetery, Marshall, Texas. Viewing will be from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 28, 2019 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Marshall, Texas. REFLECTIONS OF A FULL LIFE On the 145 th day of the year 1934, Friday, May 25, Roy Lee Edwards was born to Joshua (deceased, Dec. 7, 1994) and Ceressa D. Bush Edwards (deceased, Feb. 14, 1992) in Marshall, Texas.  Roy was the older of two children, the younger being his sister, Verna Ray Edwards Warren (deceased, 1967). At the age of 9, Roy Lee accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, thereby joining Zion United Methodist Church in Marshall, Texas where he was baptized.  After becoming an adult, marrying and starting a family, Roy and his family transferred their membership to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, also in Marshall, Texas. Roy attended and graduated from H. B. Pemberton High School in the year 1952.  Relentlessly driven to continue his education academically, after returning from his military tour of duty in the United States Army, he attended and graduated from Wiley College, Marshall, Texas, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Master of Science from East Texas State-Commerce, a Teacher Certificate in Biology/Chemistry for life, an Administrative Certificate for life, and was ONLY 6 hours shy of a doctoral degree.  It must also be mentioned that Roy was musically inclined as he played the tuba for the marching bands of both H. B. Pemberton High School and Wiley College. Roy L. Edwards served in the United States Army beginning in May, 1956.  He was assigned to the 82 nd Airborne Division where he was awarded the Parachutist Award and went on to achieve the rank of Sergeant E-5, serving as a Finance Specialist.  He was Honorably Discharged from the Army on 26 May 1960.  Roy continued to serve as a reservist in the Texas Army National Guard until 20 December 1977. Additionally, Roy was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity - Nu Iota Chapter and was involved in several professional scientific and administrative organizations.  He currently is on the Board of Trustees at Ebenezer United Methodist Church and for several years faithfully served as the Church Treasurer as well as Treasurer for Liberty Cemetery Association. Mr. Roy L. Edwards first pursued a teaching career in August, 1961 in Waskom, Texas while also driving the school bus for Waskom Independent School District.  Relocating with his family back home to Marshall in 1968, Roy began teaching Biology, Chemistry and Physics at H. B. Pemberton High School.  After receiving his Administrative Certificate in 1972, he accepted the position and became the FIRST Black Assistant Principal of Marshall High School.  Several years later, Roy accepted the position and became the FIRST Black Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Marshall Independent School District.  Although he retired from Marshall ISD in 1996, Roy was not nearly “retired.”  In 1997, he accepted an appointment to the Region 7 Education Service Center Board of Directors AND was elected Chairman of the Board from 2008 to 2015 when he ultimately did retire from his education career.  Now, of course, we know once a teacher, always a teacher. On November 19, 1957, Roy Lee Edwards and Rosia Lee Parish were united in marriage.  To this union, two children were born:  Lydia Lene’ and Llewellyn Lamarque (deceased, June 10, 1980).  This institution of marriage was dissolved in 1976. On March 21, 1978, Roy Lee Edwards and Theresa Tucker Johnson were united in marriage until Ms. Theresa’s passing on January 27, 2010.  Although no children were born to this union, the family included Theresa’s three adult children:  Linda Carol, Sandra Renee, and Glenn LeRay. Roy had other loves in his life as well, such as historical reading, public speaking, planning and attending events, watching sports, bowling, playing dominoes, always being right, and, yes, going to “da boat.” On the 172 nd day of this year, 2019, Friday, June 21, Roy Lee Edwards departed this earthly existence as his life expired at 3:49 p.m.  He was 85 years old. Those of us who are here to celebrate our loved one’s Homegoing are his daughter, Lydia Edwards Fleming (H.W.); four grandchildren, De’niese Moore Coleman (Dionquai), Timia Orr, Torey Fleming, LaToya Fleming; three great-grandchildren, Ryann Moore, Aalayna Coleman, Kingsley Fleming; niece, Cheryl Warren; and nephew, Daryl Warren.  His extended family includes a whole host of beloved and dearly loved relatives too extensive to name. Lastly, but not least, are his faithful-to-the-end, trusted community of friends, classmates, coworkers, students, and acquaintances locally and nationally.