Michael "Mike" Edwards

Michael Luther Edwards, age 80, a life-long resident of Mt. Vernon, Texas, passed away on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at his home with his family by his side, leaving a legacy of love, community, integrity, loyalty, and friendships.

Mike was born on April 18, 1944, in Mt. Vernon, to Martin Luther Edwards, Jr and Vera Gaye Clinton Edwards.

He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School, as Mr. Mt. Vernon, in 1962.  Mike attended Southern Methodist University from 1963 to 1968 earning a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Finance, with honors.  During his time at SMU, he was a scholarship athlete playing football for the Mustangs and a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

He returned to Mt. Vernon after graduation and began his career serving the community as a successful independent, small business owner.  He thrived in entrepreneurship, operating M.L Edwards & Company, like his father, mother and grandfather before him.

M.L. Edwards & Company store was continuously family owned and operated from 1900 to 2016. Over the years the business provided for the needs of the community offering dry goods, hardware, and gifts.

Mike was a successful home builder, building nearly 100 homes in the Mt. Vernon city limits, including the development of the Meadow Park subdivision.  He also built several homes on Lake Cypress Springs.  He owned and maintained over 600 acres of ranch land in Franklin County and was in the cattle business. 

He served as the Mayor of Mt. Vernon for 18 years. Mike was the youngest director ever elected to the board of the First National Bank of Mt. Vernon and served on that board from 1974 to 2019. He was an integral part of the Mt. Vernon Rotary Club, serving as President for several terms. Mike was a standing member of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Association and was instrumental in bringing the Lowe’s Distribution center to Franklin County.  Mike was inducted into Franklin County Hall of Fame and was named Franklin County Man of the Year. Mt. Vernon grew and prospered because of his leadership and love of community.

Mike was an avid sportsman, loving golf and fishing. He won multiple club championships at the Cypress Creek Country Club and almost caught several five-pound bass.  Many may remember him as a successful little league and pony league coach and for sponsorship of teams.

In recent years, he loved spending more time with his family and friends on the land, just east of Mt. Vernon, that we call “The Farm” that the Edwards family has owned since 1860.

He married Anne Catherine Drake on July 24, 1985, in Mt. Vernon at the First United Methodist Church. Together they raised five children- each successful in their own way because of his guidance and loving him still.

Mike is survived by his wife of 39 years, Anne Edwards of Mt. Vernon; sons, Lance Edwards (Rene), Patrick Edwards (Monica), Zack Briscoe (Melissa), Jeff Briscoe (Amy); daughter, Julie Dunn (Brian); and grandchildren, Michael Edwards (Kaitlyn), Mary Edwards, Katherine Edwards, Olivia Edwards, Ava Edwards, Drake Briscoe, Madeline Hamberg (Mason), Winnie Kate Briscoe, Blakeley Briscoe, Brooks Briscoe, Jack Skelton, Poppy Briscoe, Joshua Dunn, and Rachel Dunn; and two great grandchildren: Mateo Hamberg and Luca Hamberg. His grandchildren lovingly referred to Mike as “Pops” and regularly sought his advice.

The family would like to thank the doctors that supported Mike over the last few years and would also like to thank Serenity Home Health and Chambers Hospice nurses who supported him over the last several weeks, as well as Retta Evans.

Funeral services will be on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, Texas, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dan Hoke and Rev. Jeff Lust officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Lance Edwards, Patrick Edwards, Zack Briscoe, Jeff Briscoe, Brian Dunn, and Lanny Ramsay. The grandchildren will serve as honorary pall bearers.

The family request in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the Mount Vernon Rotary Educational Scholarships – P.O. Box 814 – Mt. Vernon, TX 75457.

Services entrusted to Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home.

www.samharveyfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael "Mike" Edwards, please visit our floral store.