James Edwards' Obituary
James R. (Jim) Edwards, 83, of Wildwood passed away Saturday, February 27, 2016. Mr. Edwards was born March 31, 1932 in Jay, FL to Elbert and Bessie (Morris) Edwards. He was a US Army Korean War Veteran and obtained his master’s degree from the University of Florida. Jim began his teaching career at Webster High School as an agriculture teacher in 1954. He left education to serve his country for two years then became a resident of Wildwood in 1957. He continued his love of teaching as an agriculture teacher at Wildwood High School until 1965 when he became the Principal of Wildwood Elementary School. He was named Secondary Supervisor and subsequently Director of Administration in 1973 until his retirement on February 1, 1988. Jim served for six years as a Sumter County School Board member. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Wildwood and was a Deacon for many years. He loved his Lord and enjoyed serving in numerous other leadership positions including Sunday School director, teacher, and music leader. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 18 and enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening and caring for his cattle. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Jennie; daughter and her husband, Linda and Ricky Gaskins of Oxford; son and his wife, Tim and Karen Edwards of Webster; brother and his wife, Merlin and Frances Edwards of Jay; 4 grandchildren, Kelly (Tommy) Yoder, Julie (Josh) Helton, Dustin Gaskins and Morgan Edwards and a great-granddaughter, Taigen Yoder. Visitation for Jim will be 5:00 – 7:00pm, Thursday, March 3, 2016 in the First Baptist Church of Wildwood. Funeral services will be 2:00pm, Friday at First Baptist Church of Wildwood with interment following the service at Garden of Memories Cemetery, Webster. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the B2D Building Fund at First Baptist Church of Wildwood, 402 Oxford St., Wildwood, FL 34785 or Cornerstone Hospice, www.cshospice.org.
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