January 10, 1970 ~ August 21, 2026 (age 56)
Ben Edwards of Valley, AL passed away unexpectedly at his home on August 21, 2026, at the age of 56. Ben was born on January 10, 1970, in Newnan, GA to Eugene Edwards Sr and Jessica Cook Edwards Martin. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Edwards Sr, and father and mother-law W.L. and Peggy Gillenwaters. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Gillenwaters Edwards, mother, Jessica Cook Martin, brothers Eugene Edwards, Jr, Gary Edwards, God Daughter Sophia Woodham, special friend and caregiver, Leah Ward, his “adopted” daughter Brittany Ward, and his fur- babies Lefty and Lil Bit; along with extended family members, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces, great-nieces and a great-nephew.
Ben was a 1988 graduate of Springwood School; a wrestler, and a member of the 1985 State Championship Football Team. He was a boy scout and later a Scout Master. Ben was an avid hunter in his younger years and fished and kayaked later in life. He loved the outdoors and watching nature.
Like most young men in a textile town, he worked for West Point Stephens from the time he was sixteen years old as a tunnel rat at Lanier-Carter Mill, then later as a supervisor at Lanett Mill until his health forced early retirement.
Ben was a kind, gentle soul with a heart of gold. He would literally give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He was always quietly in the background taking care of people that he loved – most of them never realizing the source behind the help.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends….
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Please visit Ben’s Memorial Tribute page at www.johnsonbrownservicefh.com to leave a kind word for his family, to share a memory of Ben, or to light a Remembrance Candle in his memory.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.
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