A JOINT RESOLUTION honoring the life and memory of reverend sherley w. Edwards of potecasi, north carolina, a civil rights advocate and ardent supporter of education.
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards was born on March 13, 1913, in Potecasi, North Carolina, the eighth child of Thomas and Laura Jane Edwards; and
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards was educated at the Potecasi Graded School and later the Rich Square Training School before enrolling at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama; and 
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards married Margaret Peele in 1941, and this union produced four children; and 
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards, eager to complete the education he began years earlier, enrolled at Shaw University in 1954 and graduated in 1959 with a degree in sociology and religion; and
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards faithfully served as pastor of the Second Baptist Potecasi Church in Potecasi, North Carolina, and New Haven Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, for 40 years; and 
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards also served as pastor of other churches in northeastern North Carolina, including Sandy Branch Church in Roxobel, Jordan Grove Baptist Church in Winton, and Jordan Hill Baptist Church in Macon; and 
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards, an early advocate for civil rights for African‑Americans, worked tirelessly along with several others, including former House of Representatives member Reverend C.M. Creecy, to end the split school year for African‑American children in Northampton County, and later served as President of the Northampton County NAACP; and 
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards strongly believed that a quality education was the path to success and made it part of his life's mission to encourage young people in his churches and his community to stay in school and maintain good grades; and 
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards founded the Northampton County Ministers Council for Education in 1983 to serve as a community resource for the county's public schools by helping to identify potential dropouts, offering support to students who were failing, and promoting student achievement; and 
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards served as a member of many civic and religious organizations, including the Northampton County Parents and Teachers Association, Farmers and Homemakers Association of Northampton County, the Northampton County NAACP, the Northampton County Baptist Association, and the Northampton County Ministers Council; and 
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards received many awards and recognitions for his good works and dedication, including the Northampton County NAACP Award in 1987; the Migrant Mission Ministry Award in 1995; the Richard Allen Ebony Excellence Award in 1997; the Fayetteville State University Award of Excellence in 1998; and the Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award in 2004; and 
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards died on July 21, 2004; and
Whereas, Sherley W. Edwards was a devoted husband to his beloved wife, Margaret Peele Edwards, who predeceased him on September 6, 1993; a loving father to his four children, Wendell Edwards, Blanche Edwards, Thomas Edwards, and Elnora Massey; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly honors the life of Reverend Sherley W. Edwards and acknowledges his lifelong service to the citizens of northeastern North Carolina.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly extends sympathy to the family of Reverend Sherley W. Edwards for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the family of Reverend Sherley W. Edwards.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.