Arvel Porter Edmonds

Mr. Arvel Porter Edmonds, 87, of Pilot Mountain, passed away Monday, May 24, 2010, at his home. Mr. Edmonds was born September 12, 1922, in Surry County, to the late Henry and Luna Whitt Edmonds. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was the founder and lead guitarist for the Gospel Light Trio since 1971. Mr. Edmonds retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and was a faithful member of Friendly Tabernacle Church for more than 50 years. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Opal Bruner Edmonds of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Polly and Tony Williams of Mount Airy; a son and daughter-in-law, Phillip Wayne and Kathy Edmonds of Mount Airy; three grandchildren and their spouses, Kevin and Caryann Williams of Rural Hall, Keith and Holly Williams of Lavaca, AR, and Tabitha and Danny Presley of Mount Airy; and six great-grandchildren, Cherish Ely, Melissa Presley, Caleb Presley, Addison Williams, Andrew Williams, and Sophia Williams. In addition to his parents, Mr. Edmonds as preceded in death by a son, Porter Ray Edmonds; two sisters, Aretta Haley and Eleanor Nelson; and two brothers, Kermit Edmonds and Garl Edmonds. The funeral service will be held Thursday, May 27, 2010, at 2:00 PM at Friendly Tabernacle Church, with the Rev. Dud Spencer, the Rev. Roby Wilcox, and the Rev. Robert Culler officiating. Burial will follow in the Pine Hill Friends Meeting Cemetery, with military honors by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the church. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Friendly Tabernacle Church, c/o Tony Williams, 279 Miller Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030 or to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030.