Mr. Gordon “Gordy” Edwards, 66, a resident of 39 Ballard St., Chocowinity, died Sunday, May 15, 2011, at LifeCare Hospitals of North Carolina in Rocky Mount.

Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at 15th St. Church of God, officiated by the Revs. Clifford Ball and Dr. Robert Cayton. Burial will follow at the Edwards Family Cemetery. The family received visitors Tuesday, May 17, 2011, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 15th St. Church of God and other times at the home of his daughter, Ann Marie Crisp, 1397 Whichard’s Beach Road, Chocowinity. Pallbearers will be Ernie Coleman, Jonathan Mason, Chuck Hudson, David Elks, Glen Womble, Bruce Edwards, Billy Tripp, and Wayne Boyd, Jr.  Honorary pallbearers are members of the Eastern Antique Power Association, Jesse Williams, Wayne Craig, Ronnie Woolard, Ottis Crisp, Jr., Carroll Whitehurst, Billy Gurkin, and Delma Beach.

Mr. Edwards was born in Beaufort County on July 12, 1944, the son of the late Elbert E. Edwards and Thelma Toler Edwards. He married Ida Marie Mason on April 18, 1965. Mr. Edwards graduated from Chocowinity High School. Gordy, as he was known by his friends, went into broadcasting and started  his career at WITN-TV where he became a cameraman and was involved with the WITNey the Hobo show. He later went to work at WNCT-TV where he was a reporter and worked on the Carolina Today Show. Soon after, he began his career in Law Enforcement and was employed as a deputy with the Pitt County Sheriff’s Department and then became a Crime Prevention officer. Gordy came back home to work with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department until he became the Chocowinity Police Chief, where he worked until his retirement after 18 years of service.

In addition to his law enforcement career, he was an avid photographer, taking numerous photos of weddings, proms, and sporting events.  He was a member of the Old Cove Hunting Club, Piney Grove OFWB Church, and the Eastern Antique Power Association.

He is survived by his wife, Ida Marie, his daughter, Ann Marie Crisp and her husband, Jesse, his son, Chris Edwards and his wife, Stephanie, two grandsons, Andy Crisp and Brian Edwards, his sister, Lexa Upton, a niece, Sabrina Edwards and her husband, Bruce, and their children, Crystal, Brittany, and Christian, a brother-in-law, Charles Mason and his wife, Marilyn, as well as a nephew, Jonathan Mason and his wife, Grace, and their daughter, Samantha.

Flowers are appreciated, and memorial donations may be sent to the Beaufort County Relay for Life, c/o Lisa Alligood, 7581 Broad Creek Road, Washington, NC 27889, or Piney Grove OFWB Church Building Fund, c/o 10293 Cherry Run Road, Greenville, NC 27834.

Pamlico Funeral and Cremation Service of Washington is serving the Edwards family.