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Rev. Dalton Edwards, 75, was called home to our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 with his loving family by his side. Rev. Edwards was born on April 26, 1935 to Claude James and Vesta (Stephens) Edwards of Ft. Sumner, NM. He graduated from Ft. Sumner High School in 1953 and began his college career at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, NM. In the middle of his college years he enlisted in the US Army and served as a medic in a MASH unit in Korea. After his return from Korea he graduated from ENMU in 1961. He married Judith Perry of Portales, NM in 1961. Rev. Edwards then graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1966. He was called up to active duty status in the Army during the Vietnam War where he served as a chaplain. He and his family moved to the Navajo Nation in 1969 and served as a missionary throughout western New Mexico. He, also, served as the Director of Missions for the New Mexico Southern Baptist Convention. Rev. Edwards retired early so that his wife, Judith, could assume the National Editor's position with the Woman's Missionary Union in Birmingham, AL. The Edwards' were able to travel to Zimbabwe, Thailand, Brazil, England and Canada with Judith's appointment with the WMU. They moved back to New Mexico where Judith became the State Director of Missions Education and Missions Mobilization Team. Judith took early retirement to be able to take care of Rev. Edwards as he advanced with Parkinson's Disease. The Edwards' were able to take and enjoy three cruises and a trip to Hawaii. Together, they loved spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great - grandchildren. "You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting - God's applause! Depend on it, He's an honest judge. He'll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for His coming." 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (The Message). Rev. Edwards was preceded in death by his brothers: Homer Edwards and his wife, Helen, Jody Edwards, and Roy Edwards; and a sister, Odessa Sims and her husband, Gentry. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Dr. Judith Edwards of Rio Rancho, NM; children, Rhonda Edwards of Rio Rancho, NM, Perry Edwards and his wife, Kelley, of Tyler, TX, and Nita Lynn Levesque and her husband, Christopher, of Rio Rancho, NM; grandchildren, Jeremy Daugherty and his wife, Alicia, Jennafer Harvey and her husband, Alvin, Kendyl Lux, Jordan Edwards, Joel Edwards, Jesse Edwards, Jaydee Edwards, Jon Edwards, Brentley Levesque, and Natalie Levesque; great-grandchildren, Alvin Harvey, Jr., Joshua Daugherty, Joseph Daugherty, and Judith Daugherty; brother, Shelton Edwards and his wife, Patsy; sisters, Ada Mae DeFoor and LaVelle Wilson and her husband, J.W.; sisters-in-law, Peggy Edwards and Jeaney Edwards; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Viewing and Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Friday, January 14, 2011 at Daniels Family Funeral Services, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho. Final Viewing and Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 1:50 p.m., on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at First Baptist Church - Rio Rancho, 3906 19th Avenue. The Funeral Service will begin at 2:00 p.m., following the final Viewing, with Pastor Ted With Presiding. Rev. Edwards will then be laid to rest at Vista Verde Memorial Park, Rio Rancho, NM, with US Army Honors given. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Daugherty, Alvin Harvey, Joel Edwards, Jesse Edwards, Alvin Harvey, Jr. and Joshua Daugherty. Honorary Pallbearers will be every NM Southern Baptist Missionary, past & present. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the NM Touch Tomorrow Today Endowment at the National Woman's Missionary Union at www.wmufoundation.com or mailed to 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242. Those who wish to express condolences may do so at: www.danielsfuneral.com. Arrangements are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-892-9920
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