Bennett Gill Edwards

Bennett Gill Edwards Obituary Bennett Gill Edwards III, affectionately known as Gill to his friends and family, left us on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in Salem, Va., after a lengthy battle with terminal illness.Born on April 1, 1964, in Henderson, N.C., Gill embodied a life marked by courage, strength, a spirited disposition, and a keen intelligence that endeared him to those who knew him best.Gill walked through life with an innate sense of triumphs and challenges. Though misunderstood by many, as his feelings ran sincere, and deep, he persevered to the end with extraordinary willpower. Gill loved all those around him. At heart he was very social and very much a people person, loving conversations, especially with those that could think outside-the-box.Gill was a true son of Salem, having spent most of his life in the city he called home. His roots, deep in the fabric of the local community, were reflected by his good humor, friendly disposition, sportsmanship, athletic abilities of his youth, and his enduring commitment to friends.Gill attended Glenvar High School, where he first showcased his appetite for knowledge and camaraderie. It was his pursuit of education at ECPI, culminating in a degree in computer science, that prepared Gill for a longtime career at ITT in Roanoke.Gill found joy and solace in sports, music, cooking, current affairs, strumming his guitars, and immersing himself in movies. His love for these pastimes were extensions of his being, offering an outlet of peace.He was preceded in death by his father, Bennett Gill Edwards Jr.; grandfather, Bennett Gill Edwards Sr.; grandmother, Mattie Roberson Edwards; grandfather, George Aster Owens; grandmother, Mildred Mitchell Owens; his uncles, Charles “Pee-Wee” Edwards, Michael Edwards, Bobby Ray Owens, and James Wheeler Owens; his aunts, Brenda Edwards Oha and Martha “Debbie” Edwards; and cousins, Tony Wilson and Sandra Edwards, wife of Pee-Wee. Gill's memory remains a beacon of courage and love.Gill is survived by his mother, Betty O. Edwards of Salem; his son, Drew Alexander Edwards of Salem; his dedicated sister, Cathy Lorraine Tabor and her husband, Patrick, of Salem; his brother, Alan Keith Edwards; his aunts, Diane Medlin of Henderson, N.C. and Bobbie Fay Oha of Creedmor, N.C.; his nephews, Jason Daniel Tabor and his fiancée, Heather Caldwell, of Salem, Joshua Ryan Tabor of Salem, and Alan Brandon Edwards of Bealton, Va.; his nieces, Angie Tabor of Salem, Danielle Peterson and her husband, Michael, of Salem, and Victoria Danielle Francisco of Salem; as well as many cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.In bidding farewell to Gill, we celebrate a life lived with the utmost authenticity and search for truth. His departure is not an end, but a continuation of the spirit that will forever pulse through the lives he touched. Gill’s memory will be held in our hearts until we meet him again.The family gives a very special thanks to Good Samaritan Hospice and employees Clara, Brittany, Ginger, Tami, and Tina for their kindness and support. Also, a special thank you to Heather Caldwell for her empathy and generosity.The family has requested cremation and will do a family gathering in his memory at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.