Roll Call Tribute

Martin E. Edwards, Jr. 

March 3, 1939 - January 1, 2025 

Martin E. Edwards, Jr. passed away on January 1, 2025, from extended illnesses. He was born on March 3, 1939 to Martin E. Edwards, Sr. and Addie Faye Vaughan Edwards in Dallas, TX. His younger brother Charles was born in 1947.

Martin grew up on a cattle ranch near Rockwall, TX. He attended Texas A & M University as a member of its Corps of Cadets, as well as North Texas State University and Memphis State University. After college, his first job was managing a cattle ranch in Northern Mexico owned by a former president of Mexico. While at North Texas State, Martin met Nancy Roberts of Memphis, TN marrying her in 1962 and residing in Memphis for their 62-year marriage.

Martin’s father-in-law, William Wallace Roberts, introduced Martin to the real estate and home building business. What followed was an illustrious career with many noteworthy achievements.

Martin was active in state, local and national realtor activities. Martin served as president of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors in 1985. He was named 1989 Realtor of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Realtors. In 1986, Martin served as treasurer of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and most notably served as president of the 1.2-million-member National Association of Realtors in 2002. As NAR’s national president, Edwards championed a commitment by NAR to create housing opportunities for all Americans and established the theme, “The Power of One” as a watchword for members that they can make a difference in the industry through their active participation. Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Martin helped establish the Realtor Relief Foundation through NAR, which provides funding for short-term housing assistance to individuals displaced by disaster, which he considered to be a crowning achievement of his real estate career. In 2000, he served on the transition team of newly elected U. S. President George W. Bush and recommended housing policy positions.

Martin Edwards was also active in other community activities in the Memphis area, including serving as chair of the Memphis Health, Education and Housing Facility Board for former Mayor Jim Strickland. He also served as a trustee for the University of Memphis Foundation as well as an instructor for the Mortgage Bankers Association of America and the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers.

Amid all these jobs and accolades, Martin cherished his marriage to Nancy as well as being “Dad” to Martin and Michelle and “Granddad” to Madeline and Elliot. The advice and wisdom he imparted to them will be carried forward as his legacy for decades and generations.

Martin and Nancy had two children: Martin E. Edwards, III, a lobbyist in Washington DC (married to Laura Saul Edwards), and Michelle Elaine Edwards, an attorney, of Charleston, SC; and two grandchildren, Madeline Edwards, a journalist in Beirut, Lebanon, and Martin “Elliot” Edwards, IV, a medical technician in Arlington, VA. He is predeceased by his parents and brother.

A service will be held at noon on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1720 Peabody Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104 followed by a reception in Trezevant Hall.