Walton Dale Edwards passed peacefully on May 29, 2026 at his home in Blowing Rock NC.

He was born on April 10, 1942 in Wilmington NC, and was the son of the late Walton Macey Edwards and Lee Etta Todd Edwards.

Dale graduated from New Hanover High School in Wilmington NC, in 1960, where he met the love of his life, Joan. After graduation, he headed to Raleigh, where he studied at the North Carolina State University School of Textiles. Joan followed him to Raleigh a year later where she attended the Rex Hospital School of Nursing, where they continued dating and then married in 1963. They started their young family and Dale embarked on a long career in the textile industry with Burlington Industries, Dover Textiles and Hoechst Celanese.

They lived their early married years in Raleigh, then Erwin, Gastonia and Belmont, but Shelby became home, where their children grew up. Upon retirement, Dale and Joan spent many happy years in Blowing Rock. He enjoyed spending time with his family and adored every one of them, and they all adored him. Even though he traveled the world extensively, via his work, there was nothing like home to him. Dale especially loved visits to Mount Pisgah NC, Hunting Island SC, Valle Crucis NC, and Morehead City NC. He enjoyed every place that he lived and made fast friends all along the way. Dale enjoyed music of all kinds.....the happier the tune the better. He especially loved children and they all loved him back. Dale brightened any room that he walked into and immediately filled it with joy. Dale never met a stranger. He was friendly to all and was genuinely a man well met.

Dale leaves behind his loving wife of 62 years, Joan Cowie Edwards. His two children, Jody Edwards Wilkins (Steve Wilkins) and Todd Edwards (Suzanne Moye Edwards) and four grandchildren. They are Mattison Wilkins (Kaitlyn Buckner Wilkins), Duke Edwards (Elizabeth Vaughan Edwards) Macey Wilkins Lash (Nic Lash), and Camille Edwards. There are also four great grandchildren, McKinley Grace Wilkins, Mary Frances Edwards, William McGill "Mack" Edwards, Silas Lee Wilkins, and Baby Girl Lash due in June. Dale was also predeceased by his twin sisters, Janice Edwards Siler and Joyce Edwards.

A celebration of the life of Dale Edwards will be held at 2:00PM, on Tuesday, June 2nd at First Baptist Church of Shelby with Rev. Asher Panton officiating. Prior to the service the family will receive friends in the main sanctuary from 12:30-1:30.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Young Life of Cleveland Co. or The Refuge, 1380 Lower Field Road. Ayden, NC 28513

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.