Rev. Jesse Franklin Edwards

The Rev. Jesse Franklin Edwards, 90, of 1722 Fancy Gap Road, Mount Airy, passed away Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2015, at his home. The Rev. Edwards was born October 5, 1924, in Sylvatus, VA, the son of the late Thomas Jefferson Edwards, Sr. and Rebecca Elizabeth Tate Edwards. Jesse was a self-employed auto body repairman for many years. He also pastored Jesus Tabernacle in Cana, VA, from 1971 until 2009. His greatest joy and passion was sharing the gospel through music by singing and playing his guitar. He is survived by his wife, Lillian Williams Edwards of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and David Turner, Sr. and Cheryl and Terry Callaway, all of Mount Airy; a son, James Franklin Edwards of Mount Airy; five stepchildren; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Jean Edwards of Mount Airy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Vernie Tate Edwards; a daughter, Vera Faye Edwards; a daughter-in-law, Diane Edwards; five sisters, Lottie Morton, Nannie Tate, Velma Gwyn, Violet Edwards, and Ellen Ladd; and two brothers, Thomas Jefferson Edwards, Jr. and Emmitt Edwards. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with Dr. Darrell Tate and the Rev. David Turner, Jr. officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in The Peoples Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, NC 27030; or Jesus Tabernacle, c/o Rev. David Turner, Jr., 213 Pheasant Ridge Road, Cana, VA 24317.