Mr. Johnny R. Edwards, age 70, of South Hill, Virginia, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017.

He is survived by his wife, Lynda R. Edwards, of the home; daughters Kelli Edwards of Newton Grove, NC, Kimberly Edwards and Rebecca Edwards both of South Hill; a granddaughter, Amber Langley and great-granddaughter, Emma-Leigh Burkett, both of Newton Grove. Also surviving is his brother, Ricky Edwards of Mt. Olive, and sisters, Betty Lou Waters of Belhaven, Carol Hill of Murfreesboro, and Marion Medlock of Easley, South Carolina. Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his parents Wiley Ralph Edwards, and Johnnie Squires Edwards of Belhaven.

Johnny was born in Washington and grew up in Belhaven. He attended Chowan University and graduated from Campbell University with a BS degree. He served with the Mennonite Central Committee in Malawi, Africa from 1970-1974, and he also served in Zambia, Africa from 1982-1984. Later in his career, he worked with the Wake County Shelter Workshop in Raleigh, the Raleigh Lion’s Clinic for the Blind and sheltered workshops in Johnston County and Goldsboro, Johnston County Department of Social Services for 10 years and with the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services from 2001 until his retirement.

A celebration of his life will be conducted at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, at Farrar Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be placed at www.farrarfuneralhome.net.

Farrar Funeral Home of South Hill is serving the family.