Edward Thomas Coby, Sr. of Marbury, Maryland son of the late Bessie Jackson and Thomas Coby, was born on May 15, 1924 in Washington, DC. He departed this life peacefully on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Calvert Memorial Hospital in Prince Frederick, Maryland and entered into eternal rest.

Edward was educated in the Charles County School system where he graduated from Pomonkey High School . He served in the United States Army from August 11, 1942 to April 14, 1946 during World War II. Edward married Madeline Hart on June 28, 1947 and out of this union eight loving children were born.

Edward joined Smith Chapel United Methodist Church at an early age and supported and attended services until his illness.

Edward was employed at the Naval Ordance Station in Indian Head, Maryland. He retired in 1981 as a Supervisor Explosive Operator with 34 years of Federal services.

Coby, as he was called by his family and friends, was truly a family man. He was an only child, so his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchild meant the world to him. He enjoyed talking to the family about his family history. If you met him and you told him who you were, he could tell you more about your family history than you knew. He also loved being outdoors, walking, reading the newspaper and watching softball games.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents, wife for 63 years Madeline Hart Coby, daughter Delores Braxton, and granddaughter Tammy Coby Johnson.

Edward leaves to cherish his fond memories to his children, Edward, Jr. (Rebecca), Larry (Myong), Diane (Joseph), Carolyn (Martez), Michael, Ronald (Janice) and Dale (Priscilla), Son-in-Law, William Braxton, brother in-law, Gilbert Hart, Jr. (Helen), sister in-law Mary Satterwhite, grandchildren, Travis Coby, Latonya Adams, Kia and Damon Braxton, Donnetta Alston, Toronda Parker, Angela and Jovan Queen, Tarsha and Tyrone Swann, Tiffany Coby, Tonja Savoy, Rodney and Ebony Coby and Candace Keys , great grandchildren, Latrice, Antione, Kenia, Jada, Mikiah, Malachi, Traviz, Tiana, Brianna, Jazmin, Tynee, Tyliah, Martez, Keyshawn, Reagan, Riley, great great childchild, Xavier and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

His viewing will be held from 9am until Services 11am on Tuesday, April 9th, Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD 20640. Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD.

Arrangements provided by Thornton Funeral Home.