Olvis Lee Edwards
Apr 16, 1927 - Jan 7, 2015
Posted by: Ann Weber

Wilson-Little Funeral Home
Purcell-Newcastle, McClain Co. OK
(permission granted)

Olvis Edwards, age 87, of Lexington, passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at the Westbrook Gardens Senior Living Community in Purcell. Olvis Lee Edwards was born April 16, 1927, in Elida, NM, the 1st of 7 children born to Johnie Dewitt Edwards and Verdie Ocean (Colter) Edwards. He grew up in Mena, AR and attended Acorn Schools. Olvis served his country proudly as a tank crewman in the United States Marine Corp during World War II. In the spring of 1951, Olvis escorted a young music teacher and her students from Lexington Schools, to a field trip in Oklahoma City. This was the beginning of a lifetime relationship, and on December 20, 1952, at the First Baptist Church in Lexington, Olvis married the love of his life, Miss Donelda Butler. They made their home in Lexington for the remainder of that school year before settling in Norman, where Olvis was attending the University of Oklahoma. In the summer of 1954, Olvis graduated from O.U. with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He immediately took a job with Westinghouse, and so Olvis and his young family moved to Buffalo, NY in August of that same year. They returned back home to Norman in January of 1956, and Olvis began a career in Plant Engineering at Tinker Air Force Base. They made their home in Norman for a few years, and in 1962, Olvis convinced Donelda it was time to purchase some farm land northeast of Lexington. They later purchased another farm from his sister, 2 miles east of Lexington. Together they raised 7 children; sons, Darrell, Kenneth and Michael and daughters, Janet, Patricia, Luetta and Marlena. Olvis retired from Communications at Tinker in 1993. He remained very active in his community. He became involved with Toastmasters International, and won many speech contests. He served as Governor and helped coach and was instrumental in starting several new clubs. He was the Editor of the Lexington Observer Newspaper and spent a great deal of time covering all things Lexington, from the local school to hometown news. Olvis was a longtime and faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Lexington. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, brother, uncle and a good friend. He will be dearly missed!

He was preceded in death by: His wife, Donelda Edwards and His parents, Johnie and Verdie Edwards; His sister, Winona Edwards and 3 brothers, Bill, Edwin and Leon Edwards.

He leaves behind: 3 sons, Darrell Edwards and wife Lauren of Jonestown, PA, Ken Edwards and wife JoRetta of Lamont, OK and Michael Edwards of Searcy, AR; 4 daughters, Janet Bolin of Tyler, TX, Patricia Frazier of Lexington, Luetta Edwards of Casa Blanca, Morocco and Marlena Boles and husband Teddy of Rosedale; His brother, Troyce Edwards of Purcell; His sister, Arveda Rollins of Lexington; 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; Several Nieces and nephews, and a host of other family and friends.

Funeral Services are scheduled 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 12, 2015, at the First Baptist Church in Lexington. Arrangements are by Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell. Burial will follow at the Lexington Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lexington First Baptist Church Benevolence fund.