John I. Edwards Dies at 85

John I. Edwards

John Irvin Edwards, also known as “Jumper,” died on Thursday, Jan. 27, in Tampa, Fla. He was 85 years old. He was a well-known former contractor on St. Thomas.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Olga T. Edwards; mother, Hilda Edwards; father, Walter “King” Edwards; daughter, Cassilla Hamlet; son, Mitchell Edwards; brother, Macfield Edwards; sister-in-law, Helen Lake; and brothers-in-law: Bernard Josiah and Eddie Brooks.

He is survived by his daughters: Sharon Edwards-Hodgson and Earlyn Edwards; son, Irvin Edwards; grandchildren: Sean Harrigan, Arisha Edwards, Ebony Thompkins, LeAnna Lewis-Parris, U.S. Navy enlisted soldier Ashime Harrigan (Ashley), Dr. Troi Williams, Rashimah Edwards and Aaliyah Ambrose; and great-grandchildren: Khyren Ross, Kharizma Thompkins, Beres Parris, Jayden Parris, Celeste Parris and Avery Edwards.

He is also survived by brothers: Kenneth Edwards (Yvonne), Patrick Edwards (Kathy), Franklin Edwards and George Edwards (Ronnie); sisters: Iola Josiah, Kathleen Brooks, Veronica Barthen, Jean Edwards, Genevieve Edwards and Gweneth Edwards; sons-in-law: Karl Hodgson and Leonard Lewis; and brothers-in-law: Winston Carty (Mary) and Clarence Lake (Claudette).

Also affectionally remembering him are his nephews: Bernard Jr., Bertrand, Shelly, Michael, Tony and Andrew Josiah, Eddie, Trevor, Kenneth and Kean Brooks, Neil Barthan, Rupert, Troy, Terrance and Ainsley-Paul Edwards, Jordon Forde and Conrad Carty; and nieces: Bernadette Josiah, Claudette Edwards, Dr. Yvette and Karen Edwards, Kathy Edwards-Long, Tracelyn Plummer, Ceth Gilmore, Jennifer Jeffrey and Nadine Blackman.

Other survivors include special and close friends: Gloria Fabian, Mavis and Joseph Malone, Ada Bonelli, Mr. and Mrs. Eclan David, Cynthia Hunt and family, Millentine “Jimpie” Coates, and Everton Bridges and family, Shenique Bridges (goddaughter), Linda Moit and family, Genevieve Donovan and family, Genevieve Smalls,  Avon Phillips, Elwyn Joyce, Vernice Jarvis, Veronica James Fitzroy and Roma Jarvis, Leona Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Charles, Silvester and Valerie Brown, David (also known as “Dopey”), Hortense Frazer, Ralph Laster, Trudy Moore, Sheila Washington and Nicole Harrigan; as well as a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and wonderful friends too numerous to mention.

The family gives heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Kenneth Edwards, Rev. Alicia Ross Floyd, Rev. Dr. Winelle-Kirton Roberts and family, The Memorial Moravian Church and the Visitation Group, his caregiver Alberta Kitchen, Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Cremation, and the Gudes Funeral Home (Tampa, Fla.)

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the first viewing from 4-6 p.m., Thursday Feb. 24, at Blyden Memorial Chapel.

The second viewing/tributes will be held from 9-9:45 a.m., Friday, Feb. 25, at Memorial Moravian Church, followed immediately by John’s Celebration of Life Service at 10 a.m. The funeral service will be livestreamed at www.memorialmoravian.org. Interment will be at Western Cemetery No.1.

Funeral arrangements are by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services.

All COVID-19 protocols will be observed.

Family and friends may offer their support by sharing a special memory, photo or message by going to ANL0003@YAHOO.COM (No later than noon on Feb. 14).