Carlon Ray Edwards, Sr., 72, of Roanoke Rapids, died Friday, September 21, 2012 at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

Ray was a native of Halifax County, the son of the late William Curtis Edwards and Alease Kee Edwards. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Edward Keith Edwards and Billy Edwards. He was a 1958 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School and a member of Rosemary Baptist Church. Ray was a life-long active member and scout leader of the Boy Scouts of America. He was also a founding member of the Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad and a member of Widows Son 519 Masonic Lodge.

Ray is survived by his wife, Betty Lou Edwards; two sons, Carlon Ray ''Chip'' Edwards, Jr. of Williamsburg, VA and Bryan Edwards and Amy Nowell of Roanoke Rapids; his granddaughter, Emli Elizabeth Edwards of Clayton; and two grandsons, Nicholas Ryan Edwards and Dustin Mark Mountford, both of Roanoke Rapids.

The family will receive friends on Monday, September 24, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Askew Funeral & Cremation Services, which is handling the arrangements. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Rosemary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids with Rev. Randy Martin and Dr. Layne Wallace officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarwood Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids with Masonic Rites.

Memorial donations may be made to the Boy Scouts of America, Troop #146, c/o Ronnie Spence, 621 Park Ave., Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870.