Obituary John Edwards, Jr.

John Edwards, Jr., 87, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, transitioned September 29, 2020, at Christus St. Patrick surrounded by frontline healthcare heroes and family.

His Special Verse - Genesis 3:19 , KJV: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

His Special Poem - THE DASH - by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard; are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.

To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?

John Edwards, Jr. was born May 21, 1933, in Plaisance, Louisiana, in St. Landry Parish. He entered into God's covenant with his one, true love Gustavia Broussard on July 14, 1956, and this beautiful union created seven unique children who are now tasked with upholding the legacy of the Edwards's name through continued constructive efforts and by contributing to the communities they reside. He was a husband, a father (i.e., Hero to his last son Daniel), a brother, an uncle, a Godfather, a provider (i.e., caretaker of many generations), a healer, a friend, a storyteller, a teacher, (i.e., "measure twice and cut once" as he would always say when doing carpentry work), and a fixture in the community.

His favorite pastimes included: sitting in the window of his Barber Shop with the curtain drawn playing his guitar, tinkering with and repairing his vehicles, and picking/sharing okra, tomatoes, and cucumbers from his garden during harvest time. More than anything, he relished in practicing his craft as a barber and extending himself/services to those less fortunate. He would often visit the sick and the shut-in to give free haircuts, as well as, stand in the gap with them through intercessory prayer.  As a graduate of Barber School out of New Orleans, LA, he became one of the first black business owners in Lake Charles, LA. He was an early riser always attending the 7:00 AM Sunday service and serving as an usher at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. A retiree of the Calcasieu Parish School Board and entrepreneur he lived a full life; a learned man full of wisdom who will forever be remembered for being a giver who shared his gifts and talents with an entire community. John Edwards, Jr. was a true Servant Leader.

He is survived by his daughter who was the apple of his eye - Norma Jean Vitor, of Lake Charles, LA, his five sons John Larry Edwards of Lake Charles, LA, Darrell Edwards of Atlanta, GA, Phillip (Bridgette) Edwards of Red Oak, TX, Rapheal (Mary Jeanette) Edwards of Lake Charles, LA, and Daniel (Felicia) Edwards of Plano, TX. His surviving siblings include Victoria Edwards Durresseau of Lawtell LA, Lawrence La Verna Edwards Broussard of Houston TX, Joseph Edwards of Morgan City LA, Mary Edwards Davis of Houston TX, Leona Edwards Frellow (Nerbert Sr.) of Port Author TX, and all of his many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his wife- Gustavia Edwards, his son – Joseph Leon Edwards, and his parents - John Edwards, Sr. and Millie Edwards. There will not be any formal services held to honor his wishes which align with his favorite bible verse Genesis 3:19.