David Ray Edwards
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Ray Edwards of Atlanta, GA on August 25th, 2020, at the age of 68.
He will be dearly missed by his family: his wife of 44 years, Cecilia Foster Edwards, their three children: David Foster Edwards (Corrinne), Frank Vincent Edwards (Robin) and Mary Adeline “Addy” Cecilia Edwards and his four grandchildren: David Isaac Edwards, Paige Kidd Edwards, Mary Louise Edwards and Robert Foster Edwards. David is survived by his older sister Jeanette Edwards Lewis and younger brother Daniel Scott Edwards (Juli), among nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends and colleagues.
David aka “Big Dave” was born in Shelbyville, TN on March 27th, 1952. His family moved to Canton, GA. David attended Cherokee County High School and was a member of the football, wrestling and track teams. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
David had a long, impressive career in commercial construction, mainly hotel development. He worked for Ritz-Carlton for many years, followed by a 30 year run of his own development consulting company, Edwards Development Services. David loved the tangible aspect of hotel development and relished in the fact his family and friends were able to enjoy his work. Being the intelligent, numbers-focused guy he was,
David could recite to you (whether you asked or not) every detail of a project- how much the marble cost, how many tons of concrete were poured and how many bricks were laid. David loved to work; and the various projects he worked on will serve as a part of his legacy.
David and Cecilia are members of the Cathedral of Christ the King. They sent their three children to Christ the King School and St. Pius X Catholic High School; two communities they have loved dearly and continue to cherish the friendships and relationships from both. David and Cecilia have been members of Ansley Golf Club for 40 years. David also spent time on Lake Keowee at their family’s shared lake house aka “The Happy House.”
In the final three and half years of his life, David quietly battled Multiple Myeloma- an incurable, rare type of blood cancer. While continuing to live life as normally as possible, he received various treatments from the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University. His family is thankful for the utmost care he received from his doctors and nurses. David never complained for a moment and had a very positive outlook, as he always did
throughout his life.
He will be remembered for his undying love for his wife, Cecilia, his children and grandchildren. David and Cecilia always functioned as a team and seemed to have the most fun together, no matter what they were doing. David always had an infectious smile, fun-loving demeanor and incredible dance moves. He loved live music, especially the Allman Brothers Band, and he was an avid fan of Georgia Tech football. He was simply the best!
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the respective annual funds for either Christ the King School or St. Pius X Catholic High School.
Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, the funeral will be a small, invite-only ceremony at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
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What an amazing tribute to an amazing man. I am so sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories just being with you guys. I am heartbroken for you. Hugs, prayers, and lots of love!!!
It was a pleasure to meet David and to spend time with him and many of his family members on happy occasions. Sending love, best wishes and our condolences to the Edwards family. We hope they find comfort in memories of the many good times with Big Dave.
Oh My Goodness. I can’t tell you how very sorry I am. Please know that you all will be in my heart and prayers. Sending my love. to Cecelia, Foster, Frank, and Mary Adeline. My heart breaks for all of you.
Love, Cammie Solomon Long
So sorry to hear this very sad news. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Dave was such a nice southern man who always had a smile on his face.
Love, Joan & Mark Murray
I am so sorry for your loss. I will never forget how Dave and Cecilia treated this out-of-state Yellow Jacket as one of their own, inviting me to tag along with Frank at countless GT football tailgates and into their home. Edwards family, I wish you love and peace in this unbearably sad and difficult time. Thank you for many great memories.
Love,
Travis
Sorry for your loss. Played football with David at CHS. He was never afraid to hit and tackle you as hard as he could. Praying for you the kids and grandkids. Wayne Gable
To the Edwards family, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. ❤️
What a fun guy to be around. I shared several fishing trips with him which were literally a blast. He was passionate about his family and profession. The results speak for themselves. We did several projects at Christ the King Cathedral and School for several years. God’s Speed, David. May the good Lord allow him to be the same warrior in heaven as he was on earth.
Love, Frank
My heart breaks for the Edward’s family. I never saw David without a huge smile on his face and I also remember looking at many many pictures of his grandchildren- he was as so proud. Cecilia, you and your dear family are in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for his family.
Edwards Family,
What really counts is having a great family because that is what we all “leave behind”. This indeed is what Dave & Ceclia have done …nourish and establish a great family. A tip of the o’ hat to David and to Cecilia for the dedication to their family.
May all of y’all be comforted with the notes, visits and time with family and friends circling your family.
All the best & un abrazo!
Michael Murray
Edwards Family,
What really counts is having a great family because that is what we all “leave behind”. This indeed is what Dave & Cecilia have done …nourish and establish a great family. A tip of the o’ hat to David and to Cecilia for the dedication to their family.
May all of y’all be comforted with the notes, visits and time with family and friends circling your family.
All the best & un abrazo!
Michael Murray
I am indeed so very sorry to read this beautiful tribute.
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Love,
Gail
I recently had a beer with Dave and with Richard Mattie at a dive in Atlanta. He was a few years behind me at Tech, but I remember him well. He was an all round good guy and had a great sense of humor. He was the kind of person you were glad you knew. Lots of us will miss him.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss! Your family is in my prayers!!
Love,
Gay Gurley Popham
It is with much sadness that I send my heartfelt love and wishes for peace. I consider it an honor to have known David and a joy to share his son in my family. I knew from the moment I met this family that they were of specialness and of the highest in the values of family. David you were an amazing person.
The Kearns’s family have many fond memories of David. David was a wonderful fan, coach and supporter of his family’s sport activities. David’s enthusiasm was contagious and appreciated and he will be missed.
Cecelia, you have always been so near and dear in my heart and I cherish all our memories from our childhood and growing up together. So many fun times and it is great sadness that I feel for what you and David and your family have gone through. I did not know him but I read about him and I can tell he was a great person that contributed much to this world. I know you will miss him terribly and I will be praying for your peace. Love, Debra
I am so very sad for you Cecelia and all the kids. David was such a beautiful person and will be missed so. He is now where he can flourish and be in pure joy. May all your memories bring you years of smiles and laughter and help lighten your grief. All my prayers and love, xo Martha Gaughen
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you, your family and friends. He will be missed. Love Gary and Joyce Wood
Cecelia, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know you and your family are in my prayers. Nancy Cammon Peterson
Dear Cecilia,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and all the family will have a special place in my prayers.
Love,
Sister Jean
Cecilia,
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers for you and the family.
Cecilia, so sorry to hear of your loss. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Nona & Chris
Dear CeCe,
My heart is breaking hearing this news. You entrusted me years ago with this diagnosis and I’ve told no one knowing you were suffering alone with a heavy heart but making the best of life which David wanted to do.
I loved working with you at CKS and getting to be around Big Dave! He helped us with numerous open houses with a big smile and servants heart. I know he was so proud of each one of his children and when the grandkids starting coming, you both lit up.
Please know I will keep you all in my prayers as you celebrate this gentle giant. My heart hurts for you all because I know how much he will be missed.
Love you,
Dawn
Dear Cecilia, Foster, Frank and Mary Adeline, and the whole Edwards family,
Please accept our deepest sympathies at this time. The Larkin family roots run deep with the Edwards family roots.
David was a wonderful husband, father, and so much more
Our prayers and love,
Susan and Jim Larkin and Family, Chris, Joe and Tony
Cecilia. I am so saddened by this loss to you and your wonderful family. I am so glad that I have been privileged to know you all over the years. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers , Helen Mcswain
So sad to hear this and sending many thoughts and prayers to the Edwards family. I have such fond memories of Mr Edwards from St Pius. I know he will be so missed.
Cecilia, I always felt you and David had such a special bond! I always admired what a loving husband and father David was and how much he cared for his family. He was such a wonderful person and always had a smile on his face. I just remember the swim team days at Ansley and Christ the King events and seeing him happy and so fun to be around! You and David raised a beautiful family and he will be missed! I am keeping you, your children and grandchildren in my prayers and hoping for peace and strength in the days ahead. Love you sweet friend,
Love and prayers to you all!!
Love, Amy & Joe Dent, Larkin and Gracie
My prayers for peace and comfort for Cecilia, the Edwards family, and his dear friends. I had the pleasure of knowing Dave for over 45 years starting back in the Lambda Chi days at Georgia Tech when my husband Marty and I got to know him and Cecilia, when we were all still dating.. He always seemed to have a smile on his face and was so easy to talk to, genuinely interested in what was going on in our lives. Dave was always such a gentleman and an avid Georgia Tech fan, even in years when there was not much to cheer for! I laugh at the mention of his dance skills above, because at a party a few years ago he tried to “school” me on how to dance on the dance floor, swirling me around when I really had limited practice at shagging, but I really tried to fake it, LOL. Fun memories, and there are so many happy times we will all cherish. In these memories Dave will forever live on in our hearts.
Dave was one of the first people I met at Lambda Chi and the first guy to get me in a headlock, as I recall. He loved to wrestle and taught me a few moves I used for many years. He is a first class gentleman that always treated me well. And Cecelia made Dave the complete package. She was always so sweet to a nutty freshman with no other motive than to be kind. I last saw him at Marty’s service and it was like no time had passed, his genuine personality was on full display. Dave was one of the good guys.
I talked at length to Dave at my daughter, Graces’s wedding last October . He was an incredibly nice man. We found that we had many things in common . Brooke and I are very sad to have learned of his passing today. Know that we will be thinking of you and sending our love and prayers through this difficult time.
Please accept my deepest condolences to your family and to all those who will mourn his passing. May the love and support of your family and friends help to get you through this difficult time.
Dave was my first roommate at GT, Summer Quarter 1970 – probably because our names were adjacent in the housing list! What a wonderful coincidence. We both pledged Lambda Chi Alpha that summer and played together on many of the fraternity sports teams while in school. We crossed paths numerous times in business over the years – Dave was one of the good guys and will be missed by many folks.
My sincerest Sympathies. Prayers and Blessings upon his family. May he Rest in a peace.
Cecilia,
Kathryn and I just learned of David’s passing. Shocked!
Our sympathies are with you and your family. Fond memories of you and David ,your relationship and his infectious smile and wit.
I was always confident that he had his priorities right; you and your family.
May God be with you in the days ahead.
Cec – just heard of David’s death…..so happy we were able to talk prior to his death. We loved David and will always remember the last time we saw him….we were eating outside at the Chick Filet on Piedmont….David joined us and we had such a fun conversation filled with past memories and catching up on his business and most importantly, you and the family.
David is one of those people you don’t forget!!!!…..our love to you and the family.
A life well lived! A beautiful remembrance.