Herman Joe Edens

Reverend Herman J. Edens, 90, of Cabot, Arkansas, went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 25, 2021. He was born in Jerusalem, Arkansas, on March 5, 1931, to Thurman Edens and Gertie (Bridges) Edens as the third of their nine children. His family moved to the England area in the 1940s, and he spent most of the rest of his life in and around Lonoke County.

Although Herman was a machinist by profession, he started preaching in church in October 1954, shortly after his return from his U.S. Army service in Germany. It was a calling he shared with his father, and it was his father’s serving as pastor of Cottonwood Church in 1948 that led Herman to meeting his future wife, Etta. After many years of preaching the Gospel, Herman became an Ordained Minister with the Pentecostal Church of God in 1961 and served many times as pastor for churches of the Pentecostal faith around central Arkansas. Even outside the church setting, co-workers and friends who never attended any of his services often referred to Herman by the nickname “Preacher.” He celebrated his 60-year anniversary as an Ordained Minister in 2021.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents, Thurman and Gertie Edens; three brothers: Coy Lee Edens, Harold Edens, and Charles Edens; and one sister, Lorene Broadway.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Etta Edens of Cabot; one brother, Leon (Dora Ann) Edens of Cabot; three sisters: Wilma Webb of England, Loweda (Al) Hintz of Redding, California, and Jean Edens of Sacramento, California; three sons: Eddie (Debbie) Edens of Redfield, Arkansas, Gary (Chasity) Edens of Bryant, Arkansas, and Tim Edens of Cabot; one daughter, Gayla Ritchie of Searcy, Arkansas; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and a host of nephews, nieces, and extended family.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at 2:00 pm at Wilson Robison Funeral Home in England with a one-hour visitation preceding the service. Burial will follow at Center Point Cemetery in Hazen, Arkansas, under the direction of Wilson Robison Funeral Home in England.

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