Mr. Derek Austin Edwards, age 41, of Evergreen, formerly of Lumberton, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville.  He was born in Robeson County, NC on April 29, 1982 to Delbert and Debbie Edwards.

One of the most important moments of his life, Derek's baptism, took place on September 8, 1996, officiated by Dr. James Cammack.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Woodrow and Edna Edwards; his paternal grandparents, Jay and Katie Lambert; aunts, Lois Smith, Lillian Edwards, Rita Edwards and his uncles, Junior Ransom and Robert Earl Babson.

Derek is survived by his parents, Delbert and Debbie Edwards, of Evergreen; two sons, Tyler Neal Rowland of Boiling Springs Lake, NC and Asher Blake Edwards of Kenly; his sister, Kayse Lynne Edwards (Joshua Hardee) of Lumberton; his niece, Layla Hardee and his uncles and aunts, Hazel Babson, J.C. Edwards, Murphy Smith, Murtice Ransom, Horace Edwards, Faye and L.T. Brown, Kenny and Bonnie Edwards, James Edwards; special cousin, Little James Edwards and many other cousins, friends and extended family members.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 6:00PM at Floyd Memorial Chapel in Lumberton with Rev. Leslie Sessoms officiating.  A time of visitation with family and friends will follow the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Godwin Heights Baptist Church (704 Godwin Avenue, Lumberton, NC 28358), New Center Baptist Church (19894 NC 131  Hwy, Bladenboro, NC 28320), or Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church (68 Mount Calvary Road, Clarkton, NC 28433).