Dr. Ronnie “Ron” Philip Edwards, 65, of Daphne, died Tuesday, April 14, 2008.
He was born on April 8, 1943 in Oklahoma to James Edwards and Jettie June Bishop. He had a long and successful career in the field of School Psychology. He completed his B.S. in psychology in 1966 at Oklahoma State University and his M.A. in child clinical psychology in 1968 at the University of Iowa; received his Ph.D. at the University of Iowa in 1970 under the direction of Dr. Joyce Hood. He joined the faculty at Western Carolina University from 1970-1975. He then moved to the University of South Carolina as faculty from 1975-1978. Finally, he joined the faculty at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1978 and was Director of the School Psychology Program at USM from 1980-1990. Before he retired from USM in 2004, he graduated 51 Ph.D. students along with several Masters students and published an incredible number of articles in his discipline. He also chaired numerous dissertations at the University of South Carolina. He was a member of American Psychological Association since 1982, and a Fellow in Division 16 since 1991. He also held the position of the National Association of School Psychologists State Delegate of Mississippi for numerous terms. Ron was considered to be a pioneer in the field of school psychology. Prior to his passing, the Behavioral School Psychology Interest Group of the National Association of School Psychologists established the Ron Edwards Dissertation Award.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his stepfather, Pat Bishop; his wife, Sandra Lewis-Edwards; stepsister, Suzanne Ash; two children, Michael Edwards and Alicia Edwards; four stepchildren, Ronald Lewis II, Ryan Lewis, Staci Lewis, Randall Lewis; and grandchildren, Keaton Hubbard, Caileigh Kirk, Blakely Lewis, and Colson Lewis.
Always the scientist and teacher, he thoughtfully donated his body to University of South Alabama Medical School for research. Memorial services will be determined at a later date.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the award fund at Dr. Brad Dufrene; Behavioral School Psychology Interest Group, c/o Ron Edwards Dissertation Award, Department of Psychology, 118 College Drive, #5025, Hattiesburg, MS, 39406-0001.
