Pictures from our last family gathering to celebrate Opal's 80th birthday

Our most recent gathering with the family was in celebration of Opal's 80th birthday.    Here are a few pictures of the event that took place in Roanoke Rapids, NC

2013.05.11 Family Gathering at Tarheel NC

And so we get to be together once again  and to celebrate Gerald's  80th birthday.
Didn't get as many pictures as I would like to, the battery in my camera died.  
But it  was such a beautiful day and a beautiful setting.    We truly enjoy our time
 together as family.     Through losses of those we love, we have learned to appreciate
those we still  have and thank God for one more time to enjoy each other. 

Helen & Earl  

 Opal and Aubrey

 TBone 

 Aubrey and Cole

 Bryce and Bailey

                                                            Gerry and Robin

 Walt & Kaelee

 Aubrey, Ruth,  Jennifer, Sue

 Earl

 Gerald --  the birthday guy

 Kayla, Megan, Jennifer

 Gerald & Opal with their granddaughters

 David, Opal, Gerald, Gerry

Gerald, Opal and their Family

 Greg and his girls,  Traci, Jennifer, Kaelee

 The Edwards brothers,  Walter and Greg

 Cora

Vance 

 Bailey and Lisa

 Bailey and me

 Jen & Ruth

 Jennifer and Kaelee

 Little Miss Bailey

"  Opie"   -  not quite ready for this one

 Cora and Bryce taking a stroll

 Vance -   2nd time fishing and doing a pretty good job

 Aubrey

 Angela, Amber, Miranda  -- Cole is standing by the pond

 Family chat

 Nonnie

 Dean --  Gerald's sister

 Jean Simpson (with back turned) & her family.   Jean is 

Gerald's sister

Nonnie and  Aubrey

2012 .06.23 The five has become "The four"

Even though we are only four in number now,  we will not forget our dear brother who has gone on before us. 

 Opal, Helen, Ruth, Aubrey   06.23.12

Oh yes,  we had 39 family members to join us .. what a nice day to be together and enjoy family.

2011.02.20 Pat's obituary

 Walter "Pat" Franklin Edwards departed this world February 20, 2011, to go Home to his Lord and Savior. Mr. Edwards was born July 17, 1929 to Walter Mayhew Edwards and Cora Lee Edwards in Chocowinity, N. C. He is preceded in death by his father, Walter Mayhew Edwards, mother Cora Edwards Warren, step-father Roy Warren, sister Rosa Warren, and his twin sons.

 Surviving are his children Marie Edwards Collins (John), Walter Edwards (Cathy), and Gregory Edwards (Dana); grandchildren Jennifer Edwards, Heather Edwards, and Traci Edwards; and great-grandchildren Kaelee Rowan and Rae Edwards.

Also surviving are his siblings, Opal Edwards Elks (Gerald), Aubrey Warren (Nonnie), Ruth Warren Dail (Billy), and Helen Warren Chambers (Earl), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Edwards served in the US Army as an officers' cook and also as a Boy Scout Leader. He enjoyed serving his Lord, singing, woodworking, fishing, camping, and gardening. He retired from N. C. Baptist Hospital in 1992. Viewing will be held at Vogler's Funeral Home in Clemmons on Monday, February 21, 6-8 p.m. A Graveside Service will be at Westlawn Gardens of Memory at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011. Online condolances to frankvoglerandsons.com.

Published in Winston-Salem Journal on February 21, 2011

August 10, 2010 with Family

Pat now in a secure nursing home  because his dementia has gotten worse.     Little did we know that this would be the last photo of the five of us together.   Our next gathering would be at the celebration of Pat's life.     When this photo was taken,  he seemed to know we were "his folks"  but he wasn't able to call anybody's name except Helen.