Edwards Funeral Home

Benjamin was born May 24, 1928, the son of Harry Benjamin Lipford and Helena Dalton in Buffalo, NY. He attended Hutchinson Central Technical High School and graduated from there in 1946. He furthered his education at the University of Buffalo where he studied science and pledged with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. In 1952, Benjamin was drafted into the U.S. Army and served a two-year term in Hokkaido, Japan. While stationed in Japan, he worked as a reporter in the 1st Calvary Division. He married his college sweetheart, Audrey Hankins, on September 10th, 1955, before graduating a year later with his bachelor's. The couple made their home in Williamsville, NY, where they raised three daughters. After going on to complete a MS degree in Rehab counseling in 1970 he later earned his MBA in 1984. Benjamin worked as a biochemist at Edgar J. Meyer Hospital (now ECMC) for 35 years and was a part -time rehab counselor at a Rap center on Elmwood in Buffalo. After retiring in 1993, he volunteered for Crisis Services of Buffalo for 5 years. He was a devoted and caring member of St. Luke A.M.E. Zion church, President of the Men's Club and Trustee Board.Benjamin is survived by his wife, Audrey P. Hankins Lipford; children, Audrey H. Lipford, Benita P. Lipford and Jacqueline E. Lipford Kraus, wife of Richard F. Kraus; and two grandchildren, Catherine H. Kraus and Richard B. Kraus. Friends may call at THOMAS T. EDWARDS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 995 Genesee St., Thursday July 13, 2017 from 7-9 PM. The family will receive friends Friday, July 14, 2017 11 AM at St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 314 East Ferry St., where funeral services will follow at 12 noon. Rev. Cary L. Beckwith officiating. Interment with Military Honors in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

LYLES - Mary R. July 20, 2017, mother of Eric Lyles, Sheila (Robert) Colvin, Vernon Lyles and Maurice (Emma) Lyles; grandmother of seven; great-grandmother of 12; great-great-grandmother of three; she was the sixth of 10 children born to Oscar and Mattie Casey; sister of Dorothy A. Williams of Cheektowaga, NY and William Casey of Virginia Beach, VA; also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive friends Friday at 11 AM, with Funeral following at 12 Noon at THOMAS T. EDWARDS FUNERAL HOME, 995 Genesee St. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Oakland died at 1:11 p.m. Thursday (March 23, 2017) at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.No services will be held. The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.Mr. Sanders was born on March 16, 1937, in Atwood, a son of Walter Russell and Marie (Gregg) Sanders. He married Helen Cecelia Goodwin in 1958; she survives.Other survivors include three children, Debra Taylor of Oakley, Donald L. Sanders of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Stephon Sanders Lehnertz of Des Moines, Iowa; two brothers, Russell “Bud” Sanders of Arcola and Ronnie Sanders of Atwood; and one sister, Dorothy Whittington of Arcola; nine grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by six siblings.Mr. Sanders was a U. S. Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired as an over the road truck driver, having worked for Bill’s Trucking out of Brocton and for ADM Trucking.Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Sign up to get each day's obituaries sent to your email inbox .whatcounts-form-container.well { padding-bottom: 5px; } .whatcounts-form-container .left-col, .whatcounts-form-container .right-col{ float: left; width: 100%; max-width: 345px; } .whatcounts-form-container .left-col{ margin-right: 20px; } .whatcounts-form-container .whatcounts-min .left-col{ max-width: none; margin: 0; } .whatcounts-form-container .disclaimer { font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom:10px; clear:both; } .whatcounts-form-container .input-group-addon.wc-addon-captcha{ padding: 4px 10px; border-left: 0; }...