Thomas Dean Edwards, 84, passed away Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi in Oxford. Visitation will be Monday, Nov.  11, 2019, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, at 2 p.m., also at Coleman Funeral Home. Interment will be at Shiloh Cemetery (31 CR 429, Oxford, MS 38655). Bro. David Blackwell and Bro. Don Shaffer will officiate. Coleman Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Edwards was born January 15, 1935, in the Denmark community to Aubrey and Idell Black Edwards. He retired as an employee of the Physical Plant Dept. of the University of Mississippi with 26 years of service. After serving 4 years in the United States Air Force, he joined the Mississippi Air National Guard. He retired as a Senior Master Sergeant with a total of 31 years of service.

He was an active member of Union West Baptist Church and the Tula Senior Citizen’s Group. He also served as a trustee with the 509th Bomb Wing Association for several years. 

Mr. Edwards is survived by his wife of 51 years, Melba Edwards, of Oxford; his daughter, Hope (Joey) Gardner, of Oxford; two sons, Shawn (Kathy) Edwards, of Taylor, Miss., and Keith (Meredith) Edwards, of Oxford; 7 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey and Idell Black Edwards; one son, Jimmy Edwards; and two brothers, Billy Gene Edwards and Jack Keith Franklin.

In honor of Mr. Edwards’ service to our country, the flag of the United States Air Force will be flown the days of his services. 

Donations and memorials in honor of Mr. Thomas Dean Edwards may be made to The Gideons International, Yalobusha Camp (P.O. Box 143, Water Valley, MS 38965) and American Cancer Society (donate3.cancer.org).

Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com.