Obituary for Corliss Joseph Edwards
Corliss Joseph Edwards
Life Sketch
Birth and Early Life in Tobago. Born June 21, 1927, Corliss is the son of Edward Fellington and Clara-Nicholson Edwards. He was the fifth of their eleven children: Charles, Doris (Vio), Stephen (Wycliffe), Caleb, Corliss, Andrew, Huldah, Nathan, Kern, Haskell, Hedrick.
Life in His Homeland. In his home village of Parlatuvier, Tobago, he was a good student of the Anglican Primary School. Subsequently, he became an apprentice of Mr. Henry Frank, the local specialist in shoe-making and other leathercraft products. At the same time, he was able to develop a degree of self-sufficiency as a lumberjack, with his schoolmate, Joe Burris. They felled trees in the forest, laboriously using huge seven feet saws to cut out slabs of boards and 4x4 lumber, to help supply the villagers with building material.
He never lost his love for outdoor life and for hard work. Together with his siblings, he was baptized into Christ and became an active member of the Parlatuvier SDA church, serving particularly as a leader in the youth department. He was a dedicated teacher and example to the youth, and well-respected in the community.
Move to Trinidad, Independence, and Marriage. Later, in his mid-twenties, Corliss moved to Trinidad, where he became a successful businessman. Corliss developed special skills in designing and making shoes, caps and bags. He opened his own business and was very successful at it in the thriving oil-rich town of Point Fortin. At critical times, he played an important role in the development of some of his siblings, especially his youngest brother, whom he virtually adopted for about three years, helping to jump start his post primary education.
At the Point Fortin SDA church, Corliss became acquainted with a young woman named Florence Germaine Durant. The two were married in May 1, 1955, a happy union that remained for the duration of their lives. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Corliss Lester, Adlai, Lynette, Oliver Wayne, and Ronald.
Move to the USA: Schooling and Work. Corliss moved to New York in 1970 to join his wife. He studied many vocations and worked in hospitals as a nurse’s aide, AC mechanic, maintenance technician (carpentry, electrical, and plumbing) and respiratory technician. He often worked a full-time job, studied in school, and cared and cooked for the family while his wife also worked multiple jobs and attended nursing school simultaneously. The family attended Lighthouse Tabernacle SDA Church in Brooklyn New York.
Move to Miami. Corliss and family moved to Miami, Florida in June 1977. They purchased a home and continued working and serving the Lord. Corliss served for many years as the head deacon at Tabernacle SDA church. Although the church was 45 minutes from his home, Corliss was at church very early and left late many a day. He literally helped build/renovate the church.
Move to Hawthorne. Corliss and his dear wife moved to Hawthorne, Florida in 1994 after Hurricane Andrew destroyed their home and devastated South Florida. Together, they built their own home on the prairie in Hawthorne and resided there until very recently. Corliss and Florence attended the Zion Hill SDA Church in Hawthorne for many years. They loved the church and its members. They both ministered tirelessly in service to the Lord at Zion Hill and in their home. Corliss was once head elder, long-time head deacon, pathfinder director, and contributed to the church however he could.
His Passing. Corliss passed peacefully to his rest at Lynette and Andy’s home in Riverside California on January 6, 2021. He was predeceased by his wife, Florence. Corliss is survived by three brothers, Haskell (Iris), Kern (Rosetta), and Hedrick (Lenoa); one sister-in-law: Irma; three sons: Corliss Lester, Adlai, and Oliver Wayne (Pamela), one daughter: Lynette (Andy); eight grandchildren: Givona (Rodney Sapp), Mawuli Shawn Sr. (DeMarys), Lemar (Chaltu), Ajani (Laura), Jasmine, Devan (Debora), Rebekah, and Misha; 13 great grandchildren: Essence, Khloe, Zoë, Jalen, DeShawn, Mawuli Shawn Jr., Zion, Brooke, Rébecca, Sydney, Nayeli, Kora Lee, and Brayden; one great, great grandson (Kendrick); scores of other Edwards, Durant, Edmund, and Bradshaw family members and a host of precious friends. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in the name of Corliss Joseph Edwards to Zion Hill SDA Church Building Fund.
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Life Sketch
Birth and Early Life in Tobago. Born June 21, 1927, Corliss is the son of Edward Fellington and Clara-Nicholson Edwards. He was the fifth of their eleven children: Charles, Doris (Vio), Stephen (Wycliffe), Caleb, Corliss, Andrew, Huldah, Nathan, Kern, Haskell, Hedrick.
Life in His Homeland. In his home village of Parlatuvier, Tobago, he was a good student of the Anglican Primary School. Subsequently, he became an apprentice of Mr. Henry Frank, the local specialist in shoe-making and other leathercraft products. At the same time, he was able to develop a degree of self-sufficiency as a lumberjack, with his schoolmate, Joe Burris. They felled trees in the forest, laboriously using huge seven feet saws to cut out slabs of boards and 4x4 lumber, to help supply the villagers with building material.
He never lost his love for outdoor life and for hard work. Together with his siblings, he was baptized into Christ and became an active member of the Parlatuvier SDA church, serving particularly as a leader in the youth department. He was a dedicated teacher and example to the youth, and well-respected in the community.
Move to Trinidad, Independence, and Marriage. Later, in his mid-twenties, Corliss moved to Trinidad, where he became a successful businessman. Corliss developed special skills in designing and making shoes, caps and bags. He opened his own business and was very successful at it in the thriving oil-rich town of Point Fortin. At critical times, he played an important role in the development of some of his siblings, especially his youngest brother, whom he virtually adopted for about three years, helping to jump start his post primary education.
At the Point Fortin SDA church, Corliss became acquainted with a young woman named Florence Germaine Durant. The two were married in May 1, 1955, a happy union that remained for the duration of their lives. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Corliss Lester, Adlai, Lynette, Oliver Wayne, and Ronald.
Move to the USA: Schooling and Work. Corliss moved to New York in 1970 to join his wife. He studied many vocations and worked in hospitals as a nurse’s aide, AC mechanic, maintenance technician (carpentry, electrical, and plumbing) and respiratory technician. He often worked a full-time job, studied in school, and cared and cooked for the family while his wife also worked multiple jobs and attended nursing school simultaneously. The family attended Lighthouse Tabernacle SDA Church in Brooklyn New York.
Move to Miami. Corliss and family moved to Miami, Florida in June 1977. They purchased a home and continued working and serving the Lord. Corliss served for many years as the head deacon at Tabernacle SDA church. Although the church was 45 minutes from his home, Corliss was at church very early and left late many a day. He literally helped build/renovate the church.
Move to Hawthorne. Corliss and his dear wife moved to Hawthorne, Florida in 1994 after Hurricane Andrew destroyed their home and devastated South Florida. Together, they built their own home on the prairie in Hawthorne and resided there until very recently. Corliss and Florence attended the Zion Hill SDA Church in Hawthorne for many years. They loved the church and its members. They both ministered tirelessly in service to the Lord at Zion Hill and in their home. Corliss was once head elder, long-time head deacon, pathfinder director, and contributed to the church however he could.
His Passing. Corliss passed peacefully to his rest at Lynette and Andy’s home in Riverside California on January 6, 2021. He was predeceased by his wife, Florence. Corliss is survived by three brothers, Haskell (Iris), Kern (Rosetta), and Hedrick (Lenoa); one sister-in-law: Irma; three sons: Corliss Lester, Adlai, and Oliver Wayne (Pamela), one daughter: Lynette (Andy); eight grandchildren: Givona (Rodney Sapp), Mawuli Shawn Sr. (DeMarys), Lemar (Chaltu), Ajani (Laura), Jasmine, Devan (Debora), Rebekah, and Misha; 13 great grandchildren: Essence, Khloe, Zoë, Jalen, DeShawn, Mawuli Shawn Jr., Zion, Brooke, Rébecca, Sydney, Nayeli, Kora Lee, and Brayden; one great, great grandson (Kendrick); scores of other Edwards, Durant, Edmund, and Bradshaw family members and a host of precious friends. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in the name of Corliss Joseph Edwards to Zion Hill SDA Church Building Fund.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Sunday
17
Jan
12:30 PM
- 1:30 PM
Zion Hill Seventh Day Adventist Church
100 Chesser Monroe road
Hawthorne, FL 32640
MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCING TO BE OBSERVED
Graveside
Sunday
17
Jan
2:00 PM
Gilgal Cemetery
111 Gilgal Road
Hawthorne , FL 32640
MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCING TO BE OBSERVED
Cemetery Details
Location
Gilgal Cemetery
111 Gilgal Road
Hawthorne , FL 32640
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