Marcus Fredrick Edwards, Jr.

Marcus Fredrick Edwards, Jr., 78, passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

He was born on August 1, 1942, in Person County to Marcus Fredrick Edwards and Myrtle Thomas Dunn. After the death of his father in 1952, he and three of his brothers were raised in Raleigh, NC, at the Methodist Orphanage, now known as the Methodist Home for Children. Later in life, he became a board member of the Methodist Orphanage/Methodist Home for Children Alumni Association. He finally had the time to give back to the organization that had cared for him in his youth. He retired from the University of North Carolina Physical Plant, then was self-employed as a paint contractor. He also loved to fish and hunt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four children, three brothers, and one great-granddaughter.

He is survived by Martha Jean Brown, his Life Partner for 36 years, sons Terry Wayne Edwards and Marcus Fredrick Edwards III and wife Cindy, and a daughter, Melissa Dawn Edwards, brother Arthur Edwards and wife Donna, sister-in-law Lois Edwards, 12 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his many brothers and sisters from the Methodist Orphanage.

Visitation will be on Sunday, December 13, at Donaldson’s Funeral Home in Pittsboro, from 2:00 until 4:00. A graveside service will be on Monday, December 13, at the Jonesboro Cemetery in Sanford, beginning at 1:00.

Please consider a contribution in Mark’s name to the Methodist Orphanage/Methodist Home for Children Alumni Association, c/o Ms. Lilian Hammond, 7520 Lead Mine Road, #204, Raleigh NC 27615-4896. Please note “BRG Scholarship Fund” on the memo line. This is a scholarship for descendants of anyone who spent time at the orphanage.

In accordance with the COVID situation, please wear masks and be kind to one another.