The Rev. Edson Drew was born on Dec. 19, 1926, in Booneville and went home to be with Jesus, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014.

Bro. Drew was called to the ministry at the age of 19 and served for over 50 years as a Southern Baptist minister in Alabama. After he retired from the ministry, he spent the past decade with his son in Mobile.

He began serving in the ministry in 1948 at Presley Street Baptist Church in Atmore and went on to serve at the following churches in Alabama: Ulcanush Baptist Church in Coffeeville, Gilbertown Baptist Church in Gillbertown, Wilmer Baptist Church in Wilmer, Citronelle Baptist Church in Citronelle, Turnerville Baptist Church in Turnerville, Kushla Baptist Church in Kushla and White House Fork Baptist in White House Fork.

His wife, Ruth Luker Drew, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his son, Michael Drew of Mobile; daughter, Deborah (Steve) Williams of Turnerville; five grandchildren, Shaun Williams, Shea (Monica) Williams, Dustin (Carrie) Williams, Kristin (Trea) Vickers and Ricka Dunlap; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, from the chapel of Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street, with the Rev. Jason Meaux and the Rev. Don Campbell officiating. Visitation was held at noon on Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment was held in McCullough Cemetery in Atmore.

Pallbearers were his grandsons and great-grandsons.

Radney Funeral Home of Mobile was in charge of arrangements.