Willie Joe Edwards, Sr.'s Obituary
Funeral services for Willie Joe Edwards, Sr., 79, of Leesville, Louisiana will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 15, 2011, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville with Rev. Joseph Garner officiating. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Leesville, LA under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville.
Visitation will be held from 6 pm - 8 pm, Friday, October 14, 2011, at the funeral home.
Willie Joe Edwards was the eighth child born on February 29, 1932, to George Edwards, Sr. and Lillian Edwards. In October 1952, he answered the call to serve his country in the Korean War. After returning to the United States he graduated from Vernon Training School in 1955. On September 5, 1955, he married his high school sweetheart Loretta Dean. To this union, six children where born but one (Earl Cornelius Edwards) preceded him in death immediately at birth.
Willie enjoyed working in his yard, cutting grass and planting flowers with his wife. He also did landscaping for a few others as well. Willie was best known for how clean he kept his automobiles and was often admired for that. He felt strongly about politics and the welfare of his community. He never met a stranger and would always give you a smile. In his early years, he was a member of the Esquire Club, a local quartet and Masonic Lodge #41 P.H.A. He was also the owner of a detail shop in the late 1980s.
He was last employed with the Vernon Parish School Board office where he was loved and adored by all and highly admired for his exceptional work and sense of humor.
Willie accepted Christ at an early age and joined Pleasant Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. D.L. Carter. Over the years he served in following capacities: Choir, Brotherhood President, Training Union Director, Deacon, Sound Technician, Sunday School and Street Beautification Ministry. He was faithful to his church until his health failed.
His father George Edwards, Sr.; his mother, Lillian Scott Edwards; six brothers and three sisters preceded Willie in death.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of 56 years, Loretta Edwards and five children: Deborah A. Edwards, Jacqueline (Kevin) Langston, Willie J. Edwards, Jr., Derrick J. Edwards, Sr., and Letitia (Johnny) McKenzie.
Two sisters: Jennie (Wayne) Mines of Baltimore, MD and Betty Rose Jenkins of Atlanta, GA. One brother-in-law: Robert Dean of Leesville, LA; Two sister-in laws: Thelma Edwards of Houston, TX and Mattie Dean of DeRidder, LA.
Ten grandchildren: Kevin Langston, Jr., Darrius Langston, Fanta Langston, Shanari Burns, Morgan Edwards, Evelyn Edwards, Derrick Edwards, Jr., Eden Edwards, Aaliyah Edwards and Alexis McKenzie; five great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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