Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

June 18, 2023

Mark B. Edwards, 83, of Charlotte, died in his sleep on June 18, 2023 following a brave fight with Parkinson's disease. Mark was born November 14, 1939 in Asheville, NC, son of Mark Edwards and Sara W. Edwards.

After high school, Mark left Asheville to attend Duke University. There he was an Angier B. Duke Scholar and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, graduating with a Bachelor degree in Mathematics. Subsequently, he graduated from Duke University School of Law, where he was elected to the Order of Coif and was Articles Editor of the Duke Law Journal. Later he would return to Duke to teach an estate planning seminar as an adjunct professor at Duke Law School.

Mark practiced law in Charlotte NC for over 40 years, specializing in wills, trusts, estates, and taxation. He finished his career as the Managing Partner and then "Of Counsel" at Poyner & Spruill in Charlotte. During his career he greatly enjoyed sharing his knowledge of law by lecturing on tax and estate planning topics at over 100 national institutes, including the Duke University Estate Planning Conference, the Hawaii Tax Institute, Miami Institute on Federal Estate Planning, and the New York University Institute on Federal Taxation. Mark spoke often for ALI-ABA and developed a group of devoted friends with whom he and his wife would often travel. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Mark wrote numerous editions of the North Carolina Probate Handbook, which has since been named for him. In retirement, Mark served as a trustee for a family trust and two charitable foundations.

Music was a love of Mark's throughout his life. He sang in the Duke Glee Club and the Duke Chapel Choir while in school, as well as in the Charlotte Oratorio Singers, where he was a former President. He was a member of the Chancel Choir at Myers Park United Methodist Church for over 35 years, taking breaks when family life demanded it. Mark was led to Myers Park United Methodist by his friend and its then Music Director, Walter H. Ball. Walter introduced Mark to the woman who became his wife and also served as Best Man at their wedding. After Walter’s death, Mark established the Walter Herbert Ball Fund for Music in Worship so that music at Myers Park Methodist would continue to flourish. This was one of his proudest achievements.

Mark's dedication to the United Methodist church and his Christian faith did not stop with music. He felt that Myers Park United Methodist Church was an extended family and like any family was a source of joy, support, and satisfaction. He loved teaching Sunday School and was a regular teacher for many adult Sunday school classes. He especially loved to teach the Wesley Class, where he was a member with his wife, Doris, for over 50 years. Over those years the members of the class offered Doris and him friendship and provided unflinching support to them throughout the ups and downs of life. Mark also taught the Bethel Bible Study series for several years and lead the church's annual Adults Plus Spiritual Retreat at Lake Junaluska for 10 years.  

At the conference level, Mark served as President of the conference Board of Pensions for eight years and as Chancellor (attorney) for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church for seven years. He also served many years on the Board of the Methodist Home in Charlotte, including a turn as Chairman of the Board.

Mark is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Doris Reynolds Edwards; daughter Elizabeth Edwards of Charlotte; son Mark B Edwards, Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, of Raleigh; and grandchildren Avery and Zachary Edwards.

The family would like to thank all those who helped care for Mark, including the many CNA's of Sharon Towers. A special thank you to Reba Jones for her assistance, friendship, and kindness for many years.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at Myers Park United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends in Jubilee Hall following the service.  Service will be online at https://boxcast.tv/view/a-service-in-loving-memory-of-mark-edwards-wvhysjopiddon9kn6wgc

Memorials may be sent to the Walter Herbert Ball Fund for Music in Worship at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 or at the church's website at www.myersparkumc.org/give.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.