Obituary for Clebern Russell Edwards
Clebern Russell Edwards Born August 29, 1948, passed on March 14, 2019
Born to Clebern Sturgis Edwards and Lillian Emmaline Edwards on August 29, 1948 in Stoneham Mass, "Russ" Edwards enjoyed his youth in Stoneham, MA, just outside of Boston. Russ was the third child of a Nursing Home Administrator and a nurse, Russ grew up in the rich traditions of Boston, becoming passionate about sports and his country. Russ was a younger brother to Carol Elizabeth Knickerbocker and Roger Sturgis Edwards, and he was the older brother to Harold John Edwards. After he graduated from Greater Boston Academy in 1966, he completed his Bachelors degree at Southern Missionary College in Collegedale, TN. It was at Southern Missionary College where Russ met the love of his life, Karen Marie Driskell, and they were wed on August 9th, 1970. While still in Tennessee, Russ and Karen were blessed by the birth of Traci Lyn Edwards in 1972. After moving back to Stoneham, Russ and Karen were blessed again with the birth of another daughter, Deborah Caryl Edwards in 1973 and a son, Clebern Russell Edwards II (Rusty) in 1975.
In 1977, Russ moved his family to Florida as he furthered his career in Nursing Home Administration. While in Kendall, FL, Russ found the second love of his life, the U. S. Navy. On November 23, 1980, Russ was sworn into service for the US Navy, where his true passion for service was realized. Moving his family north again to Newport, RI, he was stationed on the USS Manley (DD-940) as his first post while he began his journey as an engineer. Russ progressed as an engineer while he served on the USS Tattnall (DDG-19), USS Garcia (FF-1040), and the USS Nassau (LHA-4). While thriving in his military career, Russ desired to spend more time with his family, and sought a shore duty where he was then assigned to the CINCLANT Fleet Propulsion Examining Board. He was able to spend more time with his family as well as remain at sea in week stints, working on all of the Atlantic Fleet steam vessels. Russ's dedication to professional excellence and his commitment to details earned a reputation within the fleet, and ultimately moved him to his final promotion as a Lieutenant Commander in the Engineer Training Group. Russ concluded his service to our country on February 1, 1997.
Post military service, Russ worked in various positions within nursing homes until he retired outright in August of 2009. Russ and Karen moved from Virginia Beach, VA to Bristow, VA to be closer to grandkids while building many strong new relationships. In 2007, while still in Virginia Beach, Russ re-dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and became active in the church. This was the cornerstone of his life as he and his bride moved to Bristow, and he poured himself into the relationships he and Karen built at the Manassas Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
As we celebrate Russ's life, he is survived by his wife (Karen Edwards), his three children (Traci Cross, Debi Capuano, and Rusty Edwards), two brothers (Roger Sturgis Edwards and Harold John Edwards) his sister (Carol Elizabeth Knickerbocker), and his eight grandchildren (Clay Edwards, Jordan Capuano, Connor Edwards, Emma Capuano, Calvin Edwards, Gracie Cross, Sam Capuano and Ana Cross). The friends and family that have been impacted by the life of Russ are too many to list, but, were blessed to have known him.
A Memorial Service for Russ Edwards will be held on March 23 at 2:30 at Manassas Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 9858 Fairmont Avenue, Manassas, Virginia, 20109. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in the memory of Clebern Russell Edwards to the Wounded Warrior Project.
There will be a refreshment reception open to the public where all are invited to share memories following the service. Extended family will be invited to a private gathering at the Capuano household following the public reception.
For those that are traveling, Dulles Airport is closest, and there is a block of rooms reserved at the Springhill Suites by Marriott in Gainesville. Please contact me for that information. The rooms will be released on Monday if not needed.
Born to Clebern Sturgis Edwards and Lillian Emmaline Edwards on August 29, 1948 in Stoneham Mass, "Russ" Edwards enjoyed his youth in Stoneham, MA, just outside of Boston. Russ was the third child of a Nursing Home Administrator and a nurse, Russ grew up in the rich traditions of Boston, becoming passionate about sports and his country. Russ was a younger brother to Carol Elizabeth Knickerbocker and Roger Sturgis Edwards, and he was the older brother to Harold John Edwards. After he graduated from Greater Boston Academy in 1966, he completed his Bachelors degree at Southern Missionary College in Collegedale, TN. It was at Southern Missionary College where Russ met the love of his life, Karen Marie Driskell, and they were wed on August 9th, 1970. While still in Tennessee, Russ and Karen were blessed by the birth of Traci Lyn Edwards in 1972. After moving back to Stoneham, Russ and Karen were blessed again with the birth of another daughter, Deborah Caryl Edwards in 1973 and a son, Clebern Russell Edwards II (Rusty) in 1975.
In 1977, Russ moved his family to Florida as he furthered his career in Nursing Home Administration. While in Kendall, FL, Russ found the second love of his life, the U. S. Navy. On November 23, 1980, Russ was sworn into service for the US Navy, where his true passion for service was realized. Moving his family north again to Newport, RI, he was stationed on the USS Manley (DD-940) as his first post while he began his journey as an engineer. Russ progressed as an engineer while he served on the USS Tattnall (DDG-19), USS Garcia (FF-1040), and the USS Nassau (LHA-4). While thriving in his military career, Russ desired to spend more time with his family, and sought a shore duty where he was then assigned to the CINCLANT Fleet Propulsion Examining Board. He was able to spend more time with his family as well as remain at sea in week stints, working on all of the Atlantic Fleet steam vessels. Russ's dedication to professional excellence and his commitment to details earned a reputation within the fleet, and ultimately moved him to his final promotion as a Lieutenant Commander in the Engineer Training Group. Russ concluded his service to our country on February 1, 1997.
Post military service, Russ worked in various positions within nursing homes until he retired outright in August of 2009. Russ and Karen moved from Virginia Beach, VA to Bristow, VA to be closer to grandkids while building many strong new relationships. In 2007, while still in Virginia Beach, Russ re-dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and became active in the church. This was the cornerstone of his life as he and his bride moved to Bristow, and he poured himself into the relationships he and Karen built at the Manassas Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
As we celebrate Russ's life, he is survived by his wife (Karen Edwards), his three children (Traci Cross, Debi Capuano, and Rusty Edwards), two brothers (Roger Sturgis Edwards and Harold John Edwards) his sister (Carol Elizabeth Knickerbocker), and his eight grandchildren (Clay Edwards, Jordan Capuano, Connor Edwards, Emma Capuano, Calvin Edwards, Gracie Cross, Sam Capuano and Ana Cross). The friends and family that have been impacted by the life of Russ are too many to list, but, were blessed to have known him.
A Memorial Service for Russ Edwards will be held on March 23 at 2:30 at Manassas Seventh Day Adventist Church, located at 9858 Fairmont Avenue, Manassas, Virginia, 20109. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in the memory of Clebern Russell Edwards to the Wounded Warrior Project.
There will be a refreshment reception open to the public where all are invited to share memories following the service. Extended family will be invited to a private gathering at the Capuano household following the public reception.
For those that are traveling, Dulles Airport is closest, and there is a block of rooms reserved at the Springhill Suites by Marriott in Gainesville. Please contact me for that information. The rooms will be released on Monday if not needed.