James Cole Edwards

James C. Edwards

     James Cole “Jim” Edwards, 84, of Morris Chapel, Tennessee, died on February 28, 2023, at AHC Savannah Nursing Home.

   He was born in Medina, Tennessee, on September  20, 1938, and raised in Humboldt, Tennessee, son of the late Ellie Leo and Gwendolyn Cole Edwards. He was united in marriage to Leona Riff Edwards, who preceded him in death on February 27, 2017.

   Mr. Edwards served a 20-plus-year career as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Military: U.S. Navy, 1956-1958; U.S. Army 1959-1965; U.S. Air Force 1965-1977. While in the Navy, he served on the USS Erben and the USS Isherwood. While in the Army and Air Force, he was stationed in several overseas locations, Korea, Philippines, Brazil, Vietnam and England. He earned several military commendations, including the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

   After the military, he earned a certificate in appliance repair at Whiteville Area Vocational School, Whiteville, Tennessee, in 1978. He received an Associate of Applied Science degree in mechanical technology at State Technical Institute Memphis in 1982. 

   Civilian employment included: The Courier in Savannah for seven years; Two-Bill Supply, Metro Machinery, Southern Electric and Fred’s Discount, all in Memphis; Morgan General Contractors, Hickory Withe, Tennessee, Fayette County Board of Education, Somerville, Tennessee, Oakland Refrigeration, Oakland, Tennessee, and Blakely Refrigeration, Whiteville, Tennessee.

   He was a member of Savannah Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served as an alderman in Oakland for several years. He and his wife devoted many years to dog rescue when they moved to Hardin County in the late 1990s.

   He is survived by three children, Linda (Tam) White of Adamsville; Bob (Lisa) Edwards of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, and Gerald (Janet) Edwards of Tehachapi, California; grandchildren, Ginda (Andrew) Folkerts, Zack Folkerts, Robert Edwards Jr., Jon (Cookie) Edwards, Keri (Billy) Haynes, Brad (Andrea) Edwards, Katie Edwards, Kristin (Alan) Ward, Alex (Kayla) Edwards, Tyler Edwards, Joseph Edwards, Kaylee Joy Edwards, Kelson Edwards, Kaden Edwards, Josh Edwards and Amanda Edwards; great-grandchildren, Sean, Theo, Harper, Kellen, Cole, Isaiah, AJ, Samantha and Leo; siblings, Margaret Ann Ligon, Frances Lee (John) Alexander, Becky Laumann and Thomas (Marjorie) Edwards.
   He was also preceded in death by siblings, E.L. “Bud” Edwards Jr. and John Edwards.
  
   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hardin County Animal Services, 140 Legion Road, Savannah, Tennessee.