James M. Edwards, Jr.

JOHNSTON –     Funeral Services for James Martin Edwards, Jr., age 97, will be held Friday, February 12,  in Johnston First Baptist Church at 2 pm with the Rev. Thomas Barwick and Dr. Charles Hattaway officiating.  The family will receive friends in the church social hall immediately following the service.  Interment at Mt. of Olives Cemetery will be private.  Bland Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Mr. Edwards, a native of Johnston, died Monday, February 8, 2016.  He was the son of the late J. M., Sr. and Mary Sawyer Edwards.  James was a member of Johnston First Baptist Church where he consistently served as a deacon and was church clerk for over 40 years, was a member of the Chancel  Choir as well as the Senior Adult  Choir,  served on the Building Committee and taught in the Junior Department of Sunday School.  Mr. Edwards was a graduate of Furman University, a member of the Johnston Lions Club, the American Legion Post 154 and Kadosh  Lodge 181.   A veteran of World War II, he served in the US Air Force as Captain in communications and was stationed at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage, AK.  While stationed there, James was instrumental in organizing and establishing the First Baptist Church of Anchorage and was a charter member of that church.  This was the first Southern Baptist church to be established in Alaska.  Upon separation from the Air Force, he established Edwards Concrete Block Company.  Later, he joined and managed the family business of Edwards Insurance Agency from which he retired.

Survivors  include his wife:  Margaret Dawes Edwards;  sons:  James Martin Edwards, III (Trish);  Dawes Edwards (Ann);  grandchildren:  James Martin Edwards,  IV (Anna);  Emily Berry (Jordan);  Chase Edwards  (Leann) and Katherine Ann Edwards;  great grandchildren: Hardin and Margaret Edwards;  James Martin Edwards, V;  Mac and Milly Berry, and Creighton Edwards.

Memorials may be made to Johnston First Baptist Church, Building Fund, 700 Church St., Johnston, SC  29832

Please sign guestbook and send condolences to family www.blandfh.com..