John Hollis Edwards, 88, departed this life for the life everlasting on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. A lifelong Lee Countian, John spent his last days being lovingly cared for at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. Born November 4, 1928 in the Union Community of Lee County to the late Willie Ed and Ethel Rhudy Edwards, John attended McGaughy School, graduated from Nettleton High School and Itawamba Junior College and attended Mississippi State where he studied engineering. John was a patriotic American serving his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. John was a longtime active member of the First Baptist Church-Plantersville where he was a deacon and member of the C. L. Bucy Sunday School Class. He worked for over 42 years at Daybrite Lighting Company in Tupelo retiring as a Manager in the l980’s. In retirement, he filled his time by being a Courier with Bancorp South, a position he really enjoyed! John loved people, meeting and greeting them, and ultimately, striking up “kin” with many of them. He served honorably and faithfully for 16 years as an elected member from the 5th District on the Lee County Election Commission. An outdoorsman, John loved their country home, gardening, fishing, quail hunting, raising pointers, and especially his dog, Bear and bowling and square dancing in his earlier days. He was a well beloved engaged citizen of our area and will be missed.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 11 AM Thursday, July 6, 2017 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with his pastor, Bro. Danny Balint officiating. Steve Holland will deliver personal reflections. Burial will follow next to his parents in the Union United Methodist Church Cemetery south of Plantersville. Visitation will be from 4 PM-7 PM today (Wed.) and from 10 am-service time Thursday, all at Holland-Tupelo Chapel, which is honored to be serving the family.
Surviving John include his wife of 64 years, Joan Vanderford Edwards of Plantersville; his only child, Phil Edwards and his wife, Cindy and their son and his grandson, Hollis Edwards all of Tupelo. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and a large circle of friends who enjoyed, loved and admired John. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother and 4 sisters, Willie Mae Jobe, twins – Lucille Alred and Louise Parker and Bobbie Jean Clark.
Pallbearers will be Rob Kendrick, Austin Coon, Scott Clark, Gabriel Clark, Matthew Alred and Mitchell Alred. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons and Bucy Sunday School Class at First Baptist-Plantersville.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P. O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS. 38801, First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 487, Plantersville, MS. 38862 or to the Salvation Army, 527 Carnation St., Tupelo, MS. 38804.
