In Memoriam: B. Avant Edenfield

In Memoriam: B. Avant Edenfield Monday, May 11, 2015 The University of Georgia School of Law joins many voices from around the state and nation in mourning the passing of the U.S. District Court Judge B. Avant Edenfield on May 9 at the age of 80. “My family and everyone at the law school extend our deepest personal condolences to Melvis, his wife, and the Edenfield family on this sad day,” Georgia Law Dean Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge said. “Judge Edenfield was a man of impeccable character, who cared deeply about history and the power of ideas. He was a fierce patriot who embodied the ideals of the independent federal judge enshrined in our Constitution.” Edenfield received both his undergraduate and law degrees from UGA in 1956 and 1958, respectively. Following his graduation from law school, he went on to have a distinguished career, including service in the U.S. Army Georgia National Guard, an extraordinarily successful law practice in Statesboro, a stint in the Georgia State Senate and nearly three decades on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. In 2008, Edenfield received the Distinguished Service Scroll Award, the law school alumni association’s highest honor. “He was a great friend to the university and the law school,” Rutledge said. “He will be sorely missed.” Savannah Morning News article - 05/11/15 Savannah Morning News obituary - 05/11/1