Dr. Charles H. Edmonds Sr.

Charles Hugh Edmonds, Sr., Ed.D., 74, of Grant, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2020. He was born September 23, 1945, at Mt. Shade in Grant, Alabama. Charlie loved his family, simple country life, Alabama football, and the KDS DAR School and Grant community. He was a lifelong learner, pursuing degrees from Jacksonville State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.S., Ed.S, Ed.D.), and the Birmingham School of Law (J.D.). At an early age, Charlie grew up farming cotton by hand and plowing with a mule. He thought he would be a mechanic until a teacher-friend talked him into taking a college trip. That trip would be life-changing and lead to a lifelong service in public education, spanning 44 years at every level, including: teacher (elementary school, junior high school, and high school), guidance counselor, coach, bus driver, principal, central office supervisor, Assistant Superintendent, Executive Director of the KDS DAR School, two terms as Superintendent of the Marshall County School System, Director of Schools of the Franklin County School System (Tennessee) for eight years, and Director of School for the Jefferson County School System (Tennessee) for seven years. He also practiced law in the Marshall County area for five years, also serving as an AEA lawyer representing teachers across the state. Additionally, he spent time in the Army serving his country at home and abroad, including a thirteen month deployment in Korea. During his career in education, he spent more time on administrators, teachers, and students and less time on the bureaucracy and politics often associated with the field. “Our teachers know a whole lot more than legislators and politicians as to what needs to be done in the classroom. For real change to occur, it is essential that we need buy-in and input from the people who serve in the field. I’ve spent my career focused on finding people who know education best, letting them do their jobs, knowing full well that success will likely follow.” He is survived by his wife of 53 years Bobbie Smith Edmonds and their seven children: daughters Sharon Edmonds, Kelly Edmonds Daniel (Graeme), Annie Edmonds Conwell (Tabor) and sons Charles Edmonds Jr., Ed.D., (Erica), Alan Edmonds (Wendy), Brian Edmonds (Cayley), and Dan Edmonds. He was a loving grandfather to his fourteen grandchildren and great grandson. He was loved by his siblings Harold Edmonds, Margaret Kirkland, Jerry Edmonds. Marcia Black, and Brenda Givens. He is preceded in death by his parents L.D. and Velma Edmonds and brother Harold. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the K.D.S. DAR School for a scholarship to be named in his memory. Donations may be sent to KDS DAR School Administrative Office, 6077 Main Street Grant, Alabama 35747. Charlie was a member of the Church of Christ. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 12th at Grant Memorial Chapel. A private graveside service will be held for his family. Arrangements Entrusted to Grant Memorial Chapel.

Dr. Charles H. Edmonds Sr.

September 23, 1945 - September 8, 2020