Funeral Services at New Hope Baptist Church, 782 New Hope Rd., Boyd, Texas, 76023,  Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11:00 am.  His son, Jim Edwards will be officiating. Visitation at White’s Funeral Home, Azle, TX  Friday, Oct. 2 from 6:00-8:00pm
James Ralph Edwards was born on October 27, 1928 to George & Eula Edwards in Old Hickory, Tennessee.  He went to be with the Lord on September 26, 2015.  On September 5, 1953, he married Anita Maddin, from Vernon, TX.  Bro. Edwards and Nita were able to celebrate 62 years of marriage this year.  Bro. Edwards pastored FBC, Swan, Texas, FBC, Tenaha, Texas,  FBC, Atlanta, Texas, Parkview Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana, FBC, Port Arthur (1967-1976), and FBC, Webb, Texas.  Building new facilities to accommodate growing churches became a continuing hallmark to each of his pastorates.  Bro. Edwards pastored churches for 40 years, and preached revivals all over Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee and several other states. In 1987, he and Nita retired in Grand Prairie, Texas to be close with their children and grandchildren.  A devoted husband, father, pastor, and friend, James R Edwards is preceded in death by his parents, George and Eula Edwards, by his older brother, Elroy Edwards, and by his sister, Sarah Edwards and her husband Bill, by his life-long friends, J Lloyd and Mildred Woods who were part of the Edwards’ family for over 50 years.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Anita Edwards, by his sons, Jim Edwards and his wife, Gail of Azle, Texas, David Edwards and his wife Sandra, of Richardson, Texas, Bill Edwards and his wife, Becky, of Richardson, Texas, by his daughter, Linda Lilley and her husband, Gerald, of Point, Texas, and by his sister, Ella Dean Bratcher of Tullahoma, Tennessee.  At his death, Jim Edwards, Sr had 4 children, 16 grandchildren, and 14 great- grandchildren with 2 on the way. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.