Celebrating the Life of

"Reb 12"

Richard Lee Edwards

Beloved Father. Grandfather . Friend

Brother . Coach . Mentor

……..Your legacy lives on…..

Sunrise:                    Sunset:

November 3, 1948        August 1, 2026

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

11:00 a.m.

Encounter Church

4714 East County Road 462

Wildwood, FL  34785

Order of Service

Presiding…………………Dr. John Weaver  III

Processional………………..…………………………….Ministers & Family

Invocation………………………………………….Minister Robin Caruthers

Selection……………………….………………………………Regas Woods

Scriptures of Comfort:

Old Testament………………….……………..Pastor John Weaver, Jr.

New Testament………………………………….Pastor Pamela Bivins

Resolutions & Acknowledgements

Anderson-Hence Funeral Home

Selection………………………….……………………………Willie Goins

Eulogy……………………….…………………………Pastor Melvin Lyals

Benediction & Recessional

The Celebration Story of

Richard Lee "Reb 12" Edwards

On November 3, 1948, Mable Lyals (deceased) Freddie Edwards (deceased and Richard Lyals Sr. (deceased) welcomed a wonderful bouncing baby boy into the world Richard Edwards better known as Reb. Reb was greeted by his loving brother and sister Hurcules Edwards (deceased) and Gloria Haugabrook (deceased) (Willie) Later the family busted into full bloom including Clyde Edwards (decease) Shirley(deceased) Gwendolyn Lyals -Mays (Herbert), Iva Lyals, Seadalia Weaver (John), Richard Lyals (Hillary) Vicki Lyals, Dewaine Lyals and JoAnn Grant (Irvin). Reb loved and enjoyed his bonus family, his brother Samuel Saleem (deceased) and sisters Precious Timpson (deceased) Retha Siplin (Charlie) of Jacksonville, Fl, and Catherine Greene of Clearwater, FL.

Reb spent his early childhood letting the world know that there was nothing he wouldn't try even if it meant getting injured. He back flipped over a homemade high jump knocking himself unconscious, but it didn't stop there he always was the best at everything he tried even catching a ball and knocking himself out on a car's trailer hitch.

He went on to get his education by graduating from J. R. E. Lee High School. Then he was drafted into the army where he became an airborne paratrooper. When he returned home, he continued his education by attending Bethune-Cookman College as a baseball player.

It was time to begin life as a father beginning with his princess Tanisha Edwards, Shyra Sesler, Nikarre Sesler and the other loving children that he brought into his family were Terry Sesler, Roshawn Sesler and Akawanna Sesler. Reb was richly rewarded with wonderful grandchildren T'Niya Edwards, Diamond Grady, his heart of hearts Ri'Shard Edwards, Anari Dennard (deceased) the love of his soul Mi'Qinzhe Edwards, and Janasia Vick, Sandarian Edwards and Ter'rynce Edwards. His special nephew Brian Haugabrook was the son that was never born to him.

His love and significant other Alicea Nembhard.

Special and very close friends David White, Brian Hence and Shurron Pierson (deceased). Reb leaves a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends to cherish remember his memory .His special softball friends Jim Boston, Pop Everett and Floyd Williams.

In his later years Reb became a dire hard FSU fan, motorcycle rider and  softball PLAYER WHERE HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME. ON SATURDAY MORNING AT 2:26 A.M. REB STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND MADE HIS FINAL HOME RUN AND WHEN HE CROSEED THE PLATE AWAITING HIM WERE HIS MOTHER, FATHER, BROTHERS AND SISTER.

KEEP ON WINNING

GO FSU, GO FSU

(Honorary Pallbearers)

Richard Lyals                                    Dewaine Lyals, Sr.

Richard Edwards                      Willie Haugabrook, Sr.

John Weaver, Jr.                                      Herbert Mays

Irvin Grant                                      Clyde Edwards, Jr.

Gregory Edwards                                 Bernard Brooks

(Pallbearers)

Michael Mays                                 Willie Haugabrook, Sr.

Brian Haugabrook                                           Kurtis Mays

Bernard Brooks                                            Tyson Weaver

Clifton Johnson                                           Frederick King

Clyde Edwards, III

Floral Attendants

Friends of the Family

Acknowledgements

There are those whose lives death cannot diminish.

Their love radiates forever in the hearts of family and friends.

We felt that love in your thoughtfulness.  Thank you so much

The Family

Interment

Wildwood Community Cemetery

705 Industrial Drive

Wildwood, FL  34785