C. Cornelius (Corky) Edwards entered into the full presence of Jesus on December 30, 2021, in Madison, Mississippi, at the age of ninety-seven years and eight months. When he reached 97, he was concerned he might make it to 100, and was uncertain what he would do with his time. C.C. was born in Piggott, Arkansas, on April 26, 1924 to a veteran of WWI, Roy Edwards and wife Georgia (McDonald). He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lou (Lulabelle Vaughn), infant daughter Donna Marie, sister Wilma Underwood, and sons-in-law Larry Morgan and Jim Metz. C.C. is survived by daughters Judi Morgan and Teresa Beggerly (Chris), and five grandchildren: Cynthia Morgan, Larisa Neal (Keith), Stacy Peters (John), Jason Metz (Jessica), and Dustin Metz (Anna). Also five great-grandchildren: Larry Neal in Hockley, Texas; Georgia Kate and Jude Metz, Cara Lea and Cason James Metz, all in Madison, Mississippi. A lifelong resident of Piggott, C.C. attended Baptist church from an early age, accepted Jesus as his Savior at the age of 35, and was baptized in the original First Baptist Church of Piggott. A few years later, his heart was heavy as he fought with other members of the volunteer fire department in the losing battle to save the historic church. The last twenty years of C.C.'s life were spent in Madison, Mississippi, after the passing of Lou. While in Madison he was very active in a coffee club of approximately 40 members who always celebrated his birthdays and held him in great admiration and respect; they were a strong driving force of his life. He dearly enjoyed being so close to four of his great-grandchildren and being a part of their daily lives. His one concession at the age of 93, was the use of a cane as "backup" when leaving the house and at 97, a rolling walker took its place; but it never slowed him down. Even into his eighties, he would drive across country (much to the dismay of family) to attend all the reunions of his Army 536th Amphibious Tractor unit, as he had done since the early 1970's. C.C.'s first dates with Lou were bike rides, with her on the handlebars, to the Piggott movie theatre on Sunday afternoons. It was one such Sunday that they walked out of the theatre to discover the beginning of a war that would change their lives forever with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. C.C. lied about his age (17) in order to "do his duty" and secure a job at the Ford plant in Detroit and Lou went to St. Louis to live with family and work there. It wasn't long until he made a phone call to see if she would marry him, which she did in Clay County on July 2, 1942. They returned to Michigan to work for a short while and lived with "half of Piggott" within the same neighborhood on a few blocks of downtown Detroit. C.C. was drafted on May 13, 1943, and after extensive training on amphibious tractors in Hawaii, was deployed to Leyte in September of 1944. Lou gave birth to Judi while C.C. was on Yap and Leyte in the Pacific Arena. His assignment was transporting troops from the LSTs anchored at sea to the islands. C.C. was charged with dropping the gate to release troops onto the beaches during combat. His Company landed on Okinawa Easter Sunday in 1945, and departed for the states in December of that year. His daughter, Judi, was 17 months old when he saw her the first time. In later years when strangers would buy his lunch and thank him for his service, he would say ''I appreciate it, but so many gave so much more and cannot be thanked. I am blessed." After the war, C.C. went to work at the Western Auto store for $25 a week and settled into life in Piggott. He quickly took on his Piggott childhood name of Corky again as he helped to organize the first volunteer fire department. By his retirement he had held the position of Chief several years. He was a founding Charter Member of the Sugar Creek Country Club. The store was his career as he progressed to manager and then owner. After closing the Western Auto, C.C. was trained by his son-in-law to work as a Landman in the oil and gas business. It was a major stretch in self confidence for him to believe he could handle a new career at his age (63) with his 10th grade education (typical for a 1940's depression era male). For the next fifteen years he worked for various oil companies, including Shell and Hunt Exploration, in several states from Michigan to the Gulf Coast, negotiating leases with farmers, doctors, lawyers, and corporate CEOs. The majority of this time Lou traveled with him and they enjoyed it immensely. In his second retirement, he enjoyed building new houses (everything but electrical -including nailing on the roof in his 70's); detailing and selling used cars; building and selling an assortment of mini houses for dogs and birds; and gardening, or yard work as he would say. But his favorite and most interesting experiences were as a Teamster driver for actors and crew members on the sets of different movies being filmed in the Mississippi Delta and Natchez, Mississippi. There were many stories to be told. In the past twenty years, C.C. and his daughter, Teresa, often traveled to Charleston, Asheville, Birmingham, Mobile, and all parts of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. He loved to return to Piggott and visited friends frequently. C.C. was generally ready for a trip to anywhere, at any time, until the very end of his full, blessed life. If you showed up at his door, he grabbed his hat and asked where you were taking him to lunch. He lived quite well by himself in his patio home in Madison until almost his 97th birthday. At that time he moved to an assisted living apartment where he constantly walked, kept check on the staff, and touched the hearts of everyone. He had no idea what an inspiration and blessing he was to so many people of various generations, just by existing in their lives for a season. C.C.'s humility, quick wit and smile, and those hugs and handshakes will be missed dearly by so many hearts. A graveside service with military honors will be held at a later date.