Obituary for Larry Edmunds
The Reverend Dr. Larry Edmunds, youngest of eight children, was born to Hattie Mae Edmunds (Staley)
and Richard Vernon Edmunds on August 14, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He transitioned from this
life to eternal rest on Friday, June 19th, 2020, at the Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.
At a very young age – several days prior to his fourth birthday, he was struck by a trolley car around the corner from his home, which rendered him with life threatening injuries. His parents were told he probably would not survive the night. Thank God he did and went on to realize an extremely productive life.
Larry grew up on the North Side of Pittsburgh and was educated in the public-school system. After graduating from Allegheny High School – he went on to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and
graduated with a BA in History. He continued his post-secondary school education at the University of
Pennsylvania Graduate School of Social Work, taking courses in the Master of Social Work program. He
later was awarded a Master of Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Master
of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological Seminary, and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from
Shaw Divinity School. He also pursued Advanced Study courses in the Master of Social Work program at
Boston College Graduate School of Social Work.
Providing leadership is a theme that was easily observable through his life and accomplishments. Larry
focused on uplifting others spiritually, academically, and socially. This was accomplished through his
extensive formal education, as well as, his firsthand involvement on a personal level with those he was
exposed to throughout his career. He was nationally and internationally recognized for his missions,
community, social, and academic outreach, and his teaching ministries.
His life’s motto was:
“If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain!”
Rev. Dr. Larry Edmunds began his esteemed professional career working with youth in the juvenile
justice system in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his role as a probation officer, he taught and encouraged
youth to seek a better life for themselves through education and focusing on life’s positive outcomes.
This experience led him to seek other opportunities to help others through teaching experiences at
Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts and through the attainment of graduate level credentials.
Those two experiences culminated in an overwhelming need to increase his level of service to others by
acknowledging his call to ministry. It was at that time that he formally accepted his call into the ministry
and later left his tenured college professorship to become Pastor at the St. John’s Baptist Church in
Woburn, Massachusetts.
A ministerial theme rings true as Rev. Dr. Larry Edmunds journeyed through those various occupations
and experiences. He was a Pastor, Teacher, and Social Activist who touched and influenced hundreds of
lives. In the role of Pastor, he provided pastoral care to St. John’s Baptist Church for more than 33 years.
He led the church through two major building renovations and built the congregation by focusing on a
teaching ministry, thus equipping the saints for service and missions. He built education and missionary
bridges locally and globally. Rev. Edmunds was no stranger to Christ’s people in Kenya, Republic of
Congo (Zaire), and Senegal, as well as, Caribbean and European countries. His pastoral accomplishments
were too numerous to name, but the list would highlight more than a dozen ministers that emerged from his
congregation and the development of more than 40 deacons and deaconess. He was also instrumental
in the birth of the following ministry and community outreaches established by members from the St.
John’s congregation:
• New Beginnings Christian Learning Center
• Engineering and Scientific Resources for Advancement (ESRA), Inc.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Pre-College Studies (STEPS)
• Martin Luther King Scholarship
• Church at Study Programs
• Mary McLeod Bethune Institute (MMBI)
• Greater Boston Section of National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)
The accomplishments pale however when compared to the enormous pastoral heart and theologically
trained mind that equipped and compelled Rev. Edmunds to continuous, sustained, and love-filled
ministry to God’s people.
As a teacher, Rev. Dr. Larry Edmunds functioned in the role of tenured professor at Salem State College,
teaching Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work. This led to his key role at the college and with the
student body in the development of a Campus Christian Fellowship, Afro-American Society, and
numerous other advisory responsibilities. He was awarded the Distinguished Teacher’s Award for his
dedication and commitment to education. Over the years while in Massachusetts, he also served as an
Adjunct Professor at the Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME), Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary, Simmons College, and Northshore Community College.
Throughout his life, Rev. Dr. Larry Edmunds focused on social issues and concerns for youth, adults, and
the elderly. This focus aimed to unite various cultures and backgrounds in synergistic relationships that
improved the quality of lives. His efforts were recognized in many ways and through many awards.
These awards from religious, community, social, and academic institutions included the People Making A
Difference Award, Liberating Visions Award, and the Arthur Whitaker Award from The American Baptist
Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM), for recognition of outstanding Christian service to church and
extended communities, to name a few.
His partner and soulmate throughout his impactful life of preaching, teaching, and social activism was
his bride of 51 years, Maxine H. Edmunds. They were married on June 21st, 1969, at Victory Baptist
Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After he retired from St. John’s Baptist Church and she retired from
a successful education career as an elementary school principal, they relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Throughout his life, Rev. Edmunds espoused that it was not enough to simply grasp God’s goodness for
oneself, but one must be willing to preach, teach, witness, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all
peoples and nations. So, Rev. Edmunds served as an Interim Pastor at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist
Church soon after their arrival, and he and Maxine teamed in ministry through their enterprise, L & M
Global Outreach Ministry Consultants, LLC. One of their projects was the authoring and publishing of
Rev. Edmunds’ books, “The Destination After The Devastation … One Hand, Left Hand, In A two Hand
Right Hand World.” And “The Journey Within.”
Dr. Edmunds was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Lillian, Bob, Betty & Nettie (twins), William, Martha,
and Norman, who played significant roles in his life. He is survived by his wife, Maxine H. Edmunds,
and a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins.
“If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain!”
If you would like to purchase Reverend Dr. Larry Edmunds' Books, The information is below:
1. Journey Within (Paperback: $15.99 ISBN: 978-1-4575-0640-6 May be purchased via the following website: www.journeywithin1.com
2. The Destination After The Devastation May be ordered on Amazon
and Richard Vernon Edmunds on August 14, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He transitioned from this
life to eternal rest on Friday, June 19th, 2020, at the Summerlin Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.
At a very young age – several days prior to his fourth birthday, he was struck by a trolley car around the corner from his home, which rendered him with life threatening injuries. His parents were told he probably would not survive the night. Thank God he did and went on to realize an extremely productive life.
Larry grew up on the North Side of Pittsburgh and was educated in the public-school system. After graduating from Allegheny High School – he went on to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and
graduated with a BA in History. He continued his post-secondary school education at the University of
Pennsylvania Graduate School of Social Work, taking courses in the Master of Social Work program. He
later was awarded a Master of Theological Studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Master
of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological Seminary, and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from
Shaw Divinity School. He also pursued Advanced Study courses in the Master of Social Work program at
Boston College Graduate School of Social Work.
Providing leadership is a theme that was easily observable through his life and accomplishments. Larry
focused on uplifting others spiritually, academically, and socially. This was accomplished through his
extensive formal education, as well as, his firsthand involvement on a personal level with those he was
exposed to throughout his career. He was nationally and internationally recognized for his missions,
community, social, and academic outreach, and his teaching ministries.
His life’s motto was:
“If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain!”
Rev. Dr. Larry Edmunds began his esteemed professional career working with youth in the juvenile
justice system in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his role as a probation officer, he taught and encouraged
youth to seek a better life for themselves through education and focusing on life’s positive outcomes.
This experience led him to seek other opportunities to help others through teaching experiences at
Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts and through the attainment of graduate level credentials.
Those two experiences culminated in an overwhelming need to increase his level of service to others by
acknowledging his call to ministry. It was at that time that he formally accepted his call into the ministry
and later left his tenured college professorship to become Pastor at the St. John’s Baptist Church in
Woburn, Massachusetts.
A ministerial theme rings true as Rev. Dr. Larry Edmunds journeyed through those various occupations
and experiences. He was a Pastor, Teacher, and Social Activist who touched and influenced hundreds of
lives. In the role of Pastor, he provided pastoral care to St. John’s Baptist Church for more than 33 years.
He led the church through two major building renovations and built the congregation by focusing on a
teaching ministry, thus equipping the saints for service and missions. He built education and missionary
bridges locally and globally. Rev. Edmunds was no stranger to Christ’s people in Kenya, Republic of
Congo (Zaire), and Senegal, as well as, Caribbean and European countries. His pastoral accomplishments
were too numerous to name, but the list would highlight more than a dozen ministers that emerged from his
congregation and the development of more than 40 deacons and deaconess. He was also instrumental
in the birth of the following ministry and community outreaches established by members from the St.
John’s congregation:
• New Beginnings Christian Learning Center
• Engineering and Scientific Resources for Advancement (ESRA), Inc.
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Pre-College Studies (STEPS)
• Martin Luther King Scholarship
• Church at Study Programs
• Mary McLeod Bethune Institute (MMBI)
• Greater Boston Section of National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)
The accomplishments pale however when compared to the enormous pastoral heart and theologically
trained mind that equipped and compelled Rev. Edmunds to continuous, sustained, and love-filled
ministry to God’s people.
As a teacher, Rev. Dr. Larry Edmunds functioned in the role of tenured professor at Salem State College,
teaching Psychology, Sociology, and Social Work. This led to his key role at the college and with the
student body in the development of a Campus Christian Fellowship, Afro-American Society, and
numerous other advisory responsibilities. He was awarded the Distinguished Teacher’s Award for his
dedication and commitment to education. Over the years while in Massachusetts, he also served as an
Adjunct Professor at the Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME), Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary, Simmons College, and Northshore Community College.
Throughout his life, Rev. Dr. Larry Edmunds focused on social issues and concerns for youth, adults, and
the elderly. This focus aimed to unite various cultures and backgrounds in synergistic relationships that
improved the quality of lives. His efforts were recognized in many ways and through many awards.
These awards from religious, community, social, and academic institutions included the People Making A
Difference Award, Liberating Visions Award, and the Arthur Whitaker Award from The American Baptist
Churches of Massachusetts (TABCOM), for recognition of outstanding Christian service to church and
extended communities, to name a few.
His partner and soulmate throughout his impactful life of preaching, teaching, and social activism was
his bride of 51 years, Maxine H. Edmunds. They were married on June 21st, 1969, at Victory Baptist
Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After he retired from St. John’s Baptist Church and she retired from
a successful education career as an elementary school principal, they relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Throughout his life, Rev. Edmunds espoused that it was not enough to simply grasp God’s goodness for
oneself, but one must be willing to preach, teach, witness, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all
peoples and nations. So, Rev. Edmunds served as an Interim Pastor at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist
Church soon after their arrival, and he and Maxine teamed in ministry through their enterprise, L & M
Global Outreach Ministry Consultants, LLC. One of their projects was the authoring and publishing of
Rev. Edmunds’ books, “The Destination After The Devastation … One Hand, Left Hand, In A two Hand
Right Hand World.” And “The Journey Within.”
Dr. Edmunds was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Lillian, Bob, Betty & Nettie (twins), William, Martha,
and Norman, who played significant roles in his life. He is survived by his wife, Maxine H. Edmunds,
and a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins.
“If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain!”
If you would like to purchase Reverend Dr. Larry Edmunds' Books, The information is below:
1. Journey Within (Paperback: $15.99 ISBN: 978-1-4575-0640-6 May be purchased via the following website: www.journeywithin1.com
2. The Destination After The Devastation May be ordered on Amazon