He was preaching at the funeral of one of his sheep when Darryl Edwards suddenly shouted, “God, I need your help,” then collapsed. He was pronounced dead within the hour.
“He was talking about how you need to be ready for death because you never know the day or hour,” sister Sheila Edwards tells Texas’ Victoria Advocate.
The 55-year-old was pastor of Fannin Street United Methodist Church, and had led the congregation for five years, the Victoria Advocate reports.
Edwards was eulogizing church member Sally Bland when he reached heavenward and shouted, “God, I need your help!” He collapsed then, and funeral attendees called an ambulance.
Sheila tells the Victoria Advocate that they knew he was gone before they even reached the hospital. The ambulance turned its emergency lights off as it traveled through the Texas town.
When the family arrived at the hospital, Sheila says there was a slight pulse, but the life in his eyes was gone.
“He always said you never know when you’re going to go, so you have got to do what’s right, right now,” Sheila says. “His life and death is a ministry.”
Edwards, who was also known as “Hacksaw” ran a barbecue restaurant by the same name. He used the food as a ministry to the homeless, as well.
“He took care of everyone who walked in the door. If they ordered a sandwich, they’d walk out with three or four plates because he knew they’d need food for later,” Sheila tells the Advocate. “They got a sandwich and a sermon.”
“He was a man of love. He exemplified love to no end,” his brother James tells the Advocate.
Edwards loved to ride his motorcycle and was known for sharing the gospel while doing such. He was famous around town as a fix-it man, always volunteering to serve others.
He leaves behind his wife, son, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Please lift the Edwards family up in prayer as they deal with this loss.
