Edwin Neel Edwards, Jr., age 76, of 1608 Jefferson Ave, Clifton Forge, Virginia, died October 19, 2014, at The Woodlands in Clifton Forge.

Born December 10, 1937 in Cairo, GA, he was the son of the late Ruby Sorgee and E. Neel Edwards Sr.

His grandparents were Isom J. and Ida M. Edwards of Cairo.

His grandson, Stephen Bukovac, also predeceased him.

He was the husband of Martha Garrett Edwards of Clifton Forge, father of Susan Elise Edwards of Richmond, VA, Timothy H. Edwards (Karan) of Arlington, VA, Jennifer E. Bukovac (Joseph) of Leesburg, VA, Jonathan Neel Edwards of Charlotte, NC, and stepson Carter Lyle (Karen) of Midlothian, VA.

His grandchildren are Courtney E. Amazeen (Charlie), Carleigh Edwards, Timothy Neel Edwards, Thomas Edwards, Austin Neel Edwards, Sarah Edwards, and Samuel Bukovac. Colin, Dillon, and Gavin Lyle are his step-grandchildren.

Neel is also survived by his brother, John S. Edwards (Elaine) of Baton Rouge, sister-in-law Alice G. Shawver of Roanoke, and brother-in-law, Ed Garrett (Marian) of Chester, VA, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Neel was the sports editor of the Pine Bluff (AR) Commercial, Administrative Assistant for members of the House of Representatives, and the Congressional Rural Caucus.

He was also the Director of Public Relations for Pitney Bowes Inc. He was the founder and president of Horizons Education Services, based in Richmond.

This Southern gentleman enjoyed gardening, trains, railroads, LSU sports, and coaching many youth baseball and basketball teams.

Neel was a member of Covington Baptist Church and delighted in serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher in other Baptist churches too.

Visitation will be at Nicely Funeral Home from 5:00 -7:00 p.m., Thursday October 23, 2014, 405 Alleghany St. in Clifton Forge. Burial will precede memorial service. Burial will be at 12:00 noon Friday October 24, 2014, in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor, followed by the memorial service at Covington Baptist Church on Riverside Street at 1:00 p.m. Friday October 24, 2014.

The family suggests donations to Gideon International in his memory (P. O. Box 764, Covington VA 24426).