On Friday April 28, 2023, Edward Larry Albert, Sr. transitioned peacefully with his family by his side at Lexington Medical Center, West Columbia, SC., due to complications from an unexpected accident. He was the youngest of seven siblings born on October 6, 1954, in Sumter South Carolina to the late Wisdom Albert Sr., and Mary Anderson Albert. At an early age Edward dedicated himself to Christ and joined the family church Mechanicsville United Methodist. He received his formal education in the public school system of Sumter County South Carolina where he graduated from Edmonds High School the Class of 1973. After high school he relocated not too far away from his family up the road to Columbia, South Carolina. Prior to starting his collegiate academic journey, he became employed at the South Carolina Department of Corrections as a Correctional Officer in 1974. While working full-time at SCDC he knew he wanted to further his growth personally and professionally. In 1975 he went on to pursue his academic studies by enrolling in Midlands Technical College at its main campus in Columbia, South Carolina where he studied Criminal Justice. He continued working as a full-time Corrections Officer and a full-timed college student at Midlands Tech where he received his associate degree in criminal justice in 1977. Edward wasn’t satisfied with just obtaining an associate degree he knew he wanted more. He applied and was accepted to his beloved alma mater Benedict College. He went on to matriculate through his academic program where he majored in Social Work. He became a proud member of the Benedict College graduating Class of 1979 the Purple and Gold Tigers receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. After graduating from Benedict College, he continued as a loyal devoted employee of the South Carolina Department of Corrections for over twenty-nine years working at Central Correctional Institution, Watkins-Pre-release Center, Campbell Work Release Center and Stevenson Correctional Institution. He put his social work degree to good use when he transitioned to the role of Corrections Inmate Case Manager as a rehabilitation counselor first at Manning Correctional Institution, Columbia, South Carolina., ending his long-standing career with the South Carolina Department of Corrections with retirement from the Tuberville Correctional Institution, Turbeville, South Carolina in 2003. Life after Corrections was good for Edward but only momentarily. He wanted to continue to be of service to others so when the opportunity presented itself in November of 2003, Edward accepted a position as a Hospital Liaison at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health in Sumter, South Carolina he was elated. In this new role he got an opportunity to travel across the county seat of Sumter interacting with his clients as best he knew ensuring that they had the basics of necessities that help formulate their mental, social, and emotional wellness capacities. Up until his untimely accident for the last 19 years he was employed at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health Santee-Wateree Community Health Center as a social worker where he was looking forward to his final retirement in 2023. In 1978 he met the love of his life Deborah Ann Chatman, and they were married on April 23, 1983. From this union they were blessed to raise two sons Rodney and Edward, Jr. In 1994 Edward and his family relocated to his hometown of Sumter to be near his sick Mother. He rededicated himself to Christ and his home church where he became an active lifelong member being in service working tirelessly in various church leadership roles which included membership on the United Methodist Men Organization, and Trustee Board. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wisdom Albert, Sr., and Mary Anderson Albert, three brothers., James Albert, Sr., Prince Earl Albert, and Wisdom Albert Jr., and one sister Betty Jean White. He leaves to cherish his fond memories his devoted wife of 40 years Deborah Ann Chatman Albert (of the home); two sons, Rodney Lamont Chatman of Columbia, South Carolina and Edward L. Albert Jr, of Sumter, South Carolina; one grandson, Skylond Chatman of Columbia, South Carolina; his remaining two sibling sisters and brother-in-laws., Jessie Mae Ellington (Melvin) of Inkster Michigan, and Mary Rebecca Harrison (Vernice) of Riverview, Florida; five sister-in-laws., Ada Belle Albert, Adline Knox Albert and Patricia Brown Albert all of Sumter, South Carolina, Betty Samuels of Charlotte, North Carolina and Linda Faye Osborne of Columbia, South Carolina, and brother-in-law, Michael Chatman, Charlotte of North Carolina; seven nieces, Sarah Ann Linton Jenkins and Shelia Albert of Sumter, South Carolina, Charlene Cain and Cassandra Snow (Jeffery) of Columbia, South Carolina, Raina White of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Monique Harrison of Apollo Beach, Florida and Shenedia Ellington of Inkster, Michigan; seven nephews, Wisdom Albert III of Sumter, South Carolina, Darryle Albert of Regensburg, Germany, Tyrone Albert, Sr. (Shirley) and James Albert, Jr. of Sumter, South Carolina, Brian Albert (Tomorray) of Columbia, South Carolina, Stanley Albert (Brittany) of Lexington, South Carolina and Deion Frierson of Sumter, South Carolina and a special cousin, Marilyn Albert Brooks of Sumter, South Carolina and a host of relatives, extended family and close friends who will miss him dearly.[ Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023 – 1:00 p. m. at Mechanicsville United Methodist Church, 184 Lake Ashwood Drive, Sumter, with the Rev. Kenneth B. Middleton, Pastor, the Rev. Kenneth Carter, Eulogist. The Remains will be placed in the church at 12:00 Noon for viewing until time of services. The procession will leave the home at 12:20 p. m. Burial will be in the Mechanicsville United Methodist Church Yard Cemetery.
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