Alphonso "Rico" Edwards was a native and lifelong resident of Palatka, born on Thursday, May 7, 1953 to Myrtice Lee Davis and Robert Edwards. Alphonso was educated in the Putnam County School District (Palatka South High School Class of 1972). "Rico" was a very industrious handyman who was always working or helping someone complete a job. He was a sod farm worker who was formerly employed at Georgia-Pacific, Price Brothers, North Florida Sod and Ganwood. He was a Christian and of the Baptist faith. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed cooking, coaching and having fun with family and friends. Alphonso was dearly loved by his family and is already tremendously missed. When he made promises, he kept them. In addition to his parents, Alphonso was preceded in eternal rest by his maternal grandparents, Glenn Davis, Marie Bennett and Harold Bennett; sister, Sandra E. Hardy; brother-in-law, Deacon Stanley Brown; and several aunts and uncles including, Fairy Bell Davis, Gloria D. Sharp, Harold Bennett, Jr., Luberta Foster, Willie Mae Darling, Roosevelt Watson, Sr., Ebony McCoy, Nathaniel Brown. Alphonso entered the sunset of life on Monday, December 8, 2014 at his residence. He leaves to cherish his memories: children, Jeremiah "Jamie" (Sabrina Campbell) Gilyard, Sr., Palatka; LaShawnda Edwards (Quincy) White and Craig Brown, Sr., both of Interlachen; Brandy Kimbrough, Gainesville; grandchildren, Patrice Gilyard and Jeremiah Gilyard, Jr., both of Palatka; Darien White, Dillon White, Destini White, and Craig Brown, Jr., all of Interlachen; four sisters, Ernestine Hardy, Mary Batts, Patricia Brown, and Lytinia McCullough, all of Palatka; six brothers, William H. Hardy, Wilbert (Linda) McCoy, Larry McCoy, Gerald (Juanita) Davis, and Claude Davis, all of Palatka, Clifford (Tammy) Davis, Sr., Spring Hill, FL., a host of aunts & uncles, including James Carl (Mary) Davis, Dr. Lois (Ernest) Gibson, Jacksonville; His daughter LaShawnda's mother, Shirley Reaves Edwards, Hollister; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, classmates, and caring friends.