EARLY E. EDWARDS, 71, of 608 Mebane St., died in a Chapel Hill hospital Monday afternoon at o'clock after several months of failing health. A native of Alamance County, he was the son of the late :.E C. and Louella Isley EDWARDS. He was a retired employee of Southern Laundry and Cleaners and a member of Andrews Memorial Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Mrs.. Pauline Lashley EDWARDS of Graham; five sons, Hugh and George EDWARDS, both of Burington, and Marshall, Albert and Gifford EDWARDS, all of Alamance; one step daughter, Mrs.. Uenn Ferrell of Graham; one step son, Norman Boggs of Graham; two sisters, Mrs.. Brunette Robertson and Miss Agnes Edwards, both of Alamance; three brothers, Ervin and Fern Edwards, both of Alamance, and Robert EDWARDS of Greensboro; and 22 grandchildren and 16 Teat-grandchildren. Final rites will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock at Andrews Memorial Baptist Church in Graham. The Rev. Eugene Hancock, pastor, will conduct the service, assisted by the Rev. Benny Church, pastor of the First Evangelical Methodist Church, and the Rev. Robert Latta, pastor of Alamance Baptist Church. The body will remain at Rich and Thompson Mortuary in Burlington until taken to the church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. Visitation will begin at noon Wednesday. The family will home from night. be at the funeral 7 to 9. 470, Early Erastus Edwards