Havard Edwards, 69 of Chidester, AR, died Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Ouachita County Medical Center in Camden, AR; he was a resident of Chidester for over 36 years, and a native of Wilmot, AR. He was a retired school teacher of the Camden School District, and a member of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Camden. He was a veteran of the US Army having served in the Vietnam Era. He received the Vietnam Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and was an expert rifleman. He received his B.S. degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff; he received his Masters degree in Reading from Quachita Baptist University. Havard served in the following ministries at his church; Steward & Usher Ministry, and Sons of Allen. He was affiliated with the NEA, Arkansas Teachers Association and he served as a councilman for the City of Chidester.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Mansfield "Button" and Rosia Elizabeth Yarby Edwards, two brothers: Thomas Calvin and Charles Walker and two sisters, Ruby Shelton and Dorothy King.

He is survived by one son, Ian Edwards of Newport, AR, four brothers: John H. Walker of Wilmot, AR, Donnie Edwards, wife Rosetta of Chicago, IL, Edward Smith, wife Rosella of Mineral Springs, AR and Kenneth Carr, wife Joyce of Conyers, GA, four sisters, Hazel Edwards, Mary Butler, husband Samuel, Joyce Block, husband Michael and Tinnie Gaston all of Wilmot, and a special friend, Addie Edwards of Camden, AR, three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Funeral services will be Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 11:00 am St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, 241 Center St., Camden, AR with Rev. Napoleon Davis officiating. Visitation is Friday, May 11, 2012 from 6-7 pm at Cromwell Funeral Home. Pallbearers are Andre Toney, Jason Purifoy, Rufus Gulley, Fred Lilly, Jimmy Gulley, and John Guess. Honorary pallbearers are faculty and staff of Camden Fairview Middle school and the City Councilmen of Chidester. Burial in Jim Smith Cemetery in Wilmot, AR, under the direction of Cromwell Funeral Home of Hamburg, AR.