Otis Carlisle Edwards

Otis Carlisle Edwards, Sr. of Brookhaven, GA passed away on April 11, 2016. He was the son of Richard David and Zelma Dukes Edwards of Branchville, SC. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Clemiegene Rhodes Edwards of the home; sons O. Carlisle Edwards, Jr. Kim of Mount Pleasant, SC and Paul K. Edwards of Atlanta, GA; granddaughters Brooks Lee, Summer Rose and Jordan Carlisle of Mount Pleasant, SC and Kaitlin Ann of Memphis, TN; sister Linda Kay Edwards of Hickory Tavern, SC; nephews Timothy Edwards Berry Brenda and David Berry Tina, John D. Edwards, Jr. of St. Matthews, SC; and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Mr. Edwards was predeceased by his parents; brothers John D. Edwards, Sr. and Thomas Richard Edwards; and sister Miriam Edwards Berry.
Mr. Edwards was born in Orangeburg County, SC in the home of his Dukes grandparents. He was first home schooled, then studied in a one-room schoolhouse until he entered high school. He graduated from Roseville High School with honors, then served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific theater aboard the USHS Chateau Thierry, bringing wounded servicemen from Japan back to the United States for further treatment.
After World War II, he studied retail management with the firm of Benjamin and Griggs and managed the B&G Department Store in Hampton, SC. While there he was very active in church and civic programs, serving as an officer in the Jaycees and in the Hampton United Methodist Church as Sunday School Superintendent, Choir Member, and Treasurer of the Hampton-Varnville Charge.
Next he attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, where he earned BS and MBA degrees. He then combined his education with his business and retail management experience for a long, successful career as a professor at Midlands Technical College MTC in Columbia, SC, serving at various times as professor, Division Chairman, and Teacher of the Year. He loved his work at MTC and retired in 2006 when he was 80 years old – which he referred to as “early retirement”. He then looked forward to spending time with his family and gardening at his country home in Winnsboro, SC.
While living in Columbia, then later in Winnsboro, he continued to be active in his church, holding many offices and especially enjoying singing in the choirs of Shandon United Methodist Church – the Chancel Choir under the direction of Dr. Timothy Hein and the Celebration Choir under the direction of Ann Philbeck.
Throughout his life, his family, his church and his teaching were important to him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
His Celebration of Life Service will be on Monday, April 18, 2016 at 11:00AM in the Chapel of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA with the Rev. Timothy Black officiating. Burial will be Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 11:00AM in the Memorial Garden of Shandon United Methodist Church in Columbia, SC with the Rev. Dr. Michael L. Guffee, Sr. officiating.
Miss you, Grandpa.