Mr. Sylvester Edwards, 70, lifetime resident of Dunnellon, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2017, in Gainesville.  Prior to his retirement, he was a heavy equipment operator for the Deltona Corporation.  Mr. Edwards proudly served his country with the US Army in Viet Nam.  He gave his life to Christ at an early age at the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Dunnellon.  He later became a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, also in Dunnellon.

Survivors include his loving wife of 15 years Bertha Townsend Edwards, his sons Gary (Liz), Dwight (Jessica), Tywattia, and Ryan Edwards, daughters Betty Edwards and Tiffany McNeil (Dyon), his brother Minister David Edwards, Jr. (Sharon), his sisters Quilla MacBowens, Betty Motley (Dan), and Sonya Fae Sapp, 15 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents David and Alice Edwards, as well as his sister Helen Veal.  He is also survived by his three closest and supportive friends, James Edwards, Robert McEntyre, and Ira Collins.