Rassie Ellis Edwards

Rassie Ellis Edwards, 92, went home to be his Lord and Savior on February 20, 2024, at Bristol Regional Medical Center.  Born on February 22, 1931, he was the son of William R. Edwards and Bunia Edwards Collins. Rassie was employed as road driver for many different companies.  He drove a dump truck while helping build Shaw Air Force Base Runway and parts of I-26, was employed as a bus driver for Yellow Coach Lines and hauled baseball players many times for local farm teams.  He was a Holy Ghost preacher having pastored several churches in Bristol, Erwin and Elizabethton and hosted a radio broadcast (Labor of Love) with WZAP.   Rassie was best known for his love for Jesus, people and friends; he loved the Lord and God’s people.  

Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Myrtle Booher Edwards; his baby daughter, Tammy Sue (Edwards) Arnold; great-grandson, Jacob Dehart; sisters, Barbara Collins and Brenda Collins; brothers, Luther Arwood, William Coy Edwards, Dewey Collins, Robert Harvey Collins, and Sherman Collins.  

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Mary Dehart (Dale), Rebecca (Becky) Skeens (Bill), Robin Sproles (Greg), and Linda Bailey Walton; sons, Steve Booher (Rhonda), John Wayne Edwards; honorary son, Dave Hudson (Jaunita); son-in-law, Tommy Arnold, and special friend, Brenda Sorah; grandchildren, Nichole (Donald) Bishop, Michelle (Jason) Wessoleck, Christopher (Elizabeth) Dehart, Jessica “Fred”  (Jason) Mullins, Michael Hudson, Candice Atwood (Craig), Brandie Sproles, Ashley (Patrick) Fields; Christopher Bailey, Billie Ayers, Tina Bailey and Misty Bailey; several great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews as well as numerous people and friends he was associated with over the years.   Rassie also had several chihuahuas that he kept after Tammy “Sissy” passed away; the smallest “Tiger” was the meanest.  He loved them and they loved him.

The family will host a visitation on Monday, February 26, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, 2630 Hwy. 75, Blountville, TN.  The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. officiated by his son, Steve Booher.   Interment will be held in the Garden of Gethsemane at Hamlett-Dobson Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Dale Dehart, Gregg Sproles, Bill Skeens, David Hudson, Michael Hudson, Chris Dehart, and Tommy Arnold.

For those wishing to deliver food, the family will be gathering at the home of her daughter, Mary Dehart after the service, 1101 Virginia Ave., Bristol, TN.