Daniel Edwards, Softball Coach Sports Hall of Fame
A native of Canton and graduate of Canton High School, he was a long-time resident of Holmes County and attended Holmes between 1961-1963. He played tennis and ran track with Ode Burrell. He also earned an engineering degree with a minor in history and government from the University of Colorado and later a master’s from Mississippi State University.
During Edwards 25 years in the United States Navy, he was with the Special Forces and served two tours in Vietnam. He was also on the Navy’s Golden Glove and track team which earned him a spot to be an alternate for the Olympics.
After a career in the armed forces, Edwards continued to serve with the Army National Guard. He worked as a high school teacher and coach while owning and operating Shoccoe Farms, a small business specializing in cattle, horses and a variety of green house plants.
After a career in the armed forces Edwards continued to serve with the Army National Guard. He worked as a high school teacher and coach while owing and operating Shoccoe Farms a small business specializing in cattle, horses and variety of green house plants.
Edwards joined the Holmes family in 1994 as director of grounds. During his time at Holmes, he also worked as an instructor and began the women’s softball program, building the field and serving as a successful head coach. He was committed to the students in the classroom and the girls on the softball team. It was important to him to set them all up for success.
Edwards wife, Maria Edwards, lives in Lexington. She was also an instructor at Holmes for 33 years teaching Spanish, French and Developmental English. Together Edwards and Maria have three children: Chuck Edwards (50), Candice Edwards Parish (47) and Elizabeth “Bethy” Edwards Jones (44). They also have eight grandchildren. Candice and Bethy both attended Holmes and played basketball and softball. The first grandchild of Edwards will attend Holmes in the fall of 2023.
Some of Edwards’s fondest memories include starting the softball program at Holmes, coaching his girls and making it to the playoffs.
Edwards was involved in the Lexington Rotary serving as president and winning the Paul Harris award. He was also a charter member of the Lexington Preservation Commission and started the Holmes County Youth Softball program in Lexington in 1987.
