Richard Stephen Edwards

Richard Stephen Edwards passed away on October 4, 2026, at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton, Maryland.

Mr. Edwards was the beloved son of the late J. Louis Edwards and Birdie Davis Edwards and the brother of the late J. Louis Edwards Jr. and the late Mary Ann Edwards Mattingly.

He is survived by his niece, Laura Ellen Roberts (Mike), his nephews, J. Maguire “Mock” Mattingly III (Linda) and Michael Edwards Mattingly (Brenda), and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mr. Edwards was a charter member of the Boy Scouts of America and served as a member of the Maryland National Guard from 1952 to 1960.

Mr. Edwards held many jobs throughout his life. Beginning at age 14, he stocked shelves at Mattingly’s IGA, sold tickets at the St. Mary’s and New Theater in Leonardtown, and drove the bookmobile for the St. Mary’s County Library. These were among his various occupations.

At age 16, he was offered a position as a delivery man at Bowles Florist, where he soon advanced to designing floral arrangements—a reflection of his natural talent. He also worked for Asbury Flowers.

In 1958, Mr. Edwards established Towne Florist, then known as E&M Florist. In 1960, he accepted a position with JMI Flowers in New York, where he pursued a career in artificial flowers and accessories. During his time with JMI, he lived in New York, New Jersey, and Atlanta while working at the company’s various locations.

For the next 33 years, he devoted his time and talents to a multifaceted career with JMI, ultimately becoming vice president before retiring in 1994. After his retirement, he moved back to St. Mary’s County and purchased a beautiful home in Tudor Hall overlooking Breton Bay, where he lived until the time of his passing. He was also well known for his musical talents. As an accomplished organist, he performed at many funerals and weddings throughout St. Mary’s, Charles, and Calvert Counties from 1995 until the time of his passing.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with prayers recited at 7:00 p.m. in Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Aloysius Catholic Church in Leonardtown, Maryland. Interment will follow at Saint Aloysius Catholic Church Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers for Mr. Edwards will be J. Maguire “Jay” Mattingly IV, Jonathan Howard Mattingly, Matthew Thomas O’Dell Jr., Christopher Michael Lawrence, Steve Joy, and Allen Mattingly. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Michael Roscoe, Nicholas Shadwell, and Sean Lawson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, or the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.