Deacon Wayne Edwards Sr. was born on May 14, 1953 in Coatopa, Alabama. He was the ninth child born to Mr. John Henry Edwards and Mrs. Ophelia Edwards, both deceased.

He attended and graduated from Holt High School with a full scholarship in computers; however, he chose to raise his family.

He married Fannie Mae Moore in 1971 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In his union with Mrs. Fannie Edwards, were born four children: Wayne Jr. (Doris), Veya, Makema (Shawn Sr.) and Yakitta (James aka "Hope"). He has a daughter that remain in Alabama, LaTonya Braggs (Tracey).

In 1974, he and his family moved to Vineland, NJ. Over the next twenty-eight years, Deacon Edwards worked at Owens Illinois. He and his family joined Friendship Baptist Church in Brotmanville, NJ where he served as a Trustee. After twenty years, God led him to Shiloh Baptist Church, which he called home until the Lord called him home.

During his service at Shiloh Baptist Church, he was a Deacon and serviced in many capacities to include: Sound Room Ministry, Transportation Ministry, Men's Choir, Foods Ministry, Sick and Shut-in, and above all, he was a dedicated servant to his Pastor whom he loved and his church family.

His service to God extended beyond the walls of the church. Deacon Edwards had a passion for cars, Westerns, and could quote Top Gun line for line. Deacon Edwards had a servant's heart and impacted all those he encountered. He was infamously known for encouraging himself and everyone with his favorite scripture: Psalms 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

To those who really knew him, he was known as, "Big Wayne".

He leaves to cherish his memories: A devoted wife, Fannie M. Edwards of forty-eight years; five brothers: Preston Edwards and Theodore Edwards, both of St. Louis, Roy Edwards (deceased), Jeffrey Edwards (deceased), Benjamin Edwards of Tuscaloosa, Al; five sisters: Julia Smith, Mildred Freed, and Barbara Jean, all of Tuscaloosa, Al, Cynthia Smith of District of Columbia, and Olivia Jones (deceased). In addition to his five children, he has twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and his Shiloh family and friends who love him dearly.