Joe Louis Edwards Sr.

Joe Louis Edwards Sr., age 71 lost his battle to Lymphoma Cancer on Friday, May 9, 2014, at Wheaton Franciscan - All Saints Medical Center. Joe was born in New Albany, MS, on October 19, 1942, son of Joe N. Edwards and Verlean (Nee: Pulliam) Ragland.

Joe retired from Silver Steel after thirty-three years of employment.   Joe was a devout Christian and read the Bible first thing every morning.  He loved fishing, playing dominoes and cards, listening to the blues and feeding his birds.  More than anything he treasured time spent with his family.  He will be deeply missed.

Survivors include his loving companion of twenty years, Antoinette “Toni” Rodriguez of Racine; his mother, Verlean  Ragland of New Albany, MS; his four children, Brenda (Jeff) Jones, Denena Edwards, Joe Louis Edwards Jr., Tracy Edwards, all of Racine; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; stepmother, Nannie Lou Edwards of New Albany, MS; brothers and sisters, Ishmell (Josephine) Edwards, Shelia  (Wayne) Fiddis, all of Holly Spring, MS,  Mary (Barry) Buggs of Tupelo, MS, Dennis Edwards, Lee (Georgia) Smith, Sandra (Andy) Johnson, Vernita (David) Bynum, Ruby (George) Godwin, Joyce (Thomas) White, Annie Jean Smith, James Dean, Richard (Amy) Smith all of New Albany, MS, Gary Edwards of Jackson, MS, Timothy (Francis) Edwards of Fort Myers, FL, Jerry (Jean) Dean of Huntsville, AL, Naomi (William) Bailey of Okalona, MS; special aunts, Annette Adams of Detroit, MI, Ernestine Ivy of New Albany, MS; special uncle, Willie “Sonny” Pulliam of Detroit, MI; host of other relatives and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Nathan Edwards; brothers and sister, Willie Joe Edwards, Paul Lawrence Edwards, Yvone Starks and Earl G. Dean.

His favorite expression was, "Who Loves Ya?"

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 17, 2014, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.  Relatives and friends may meet with the family Saturday at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m.

A special thank you to Wheaton Franciscan ICU nurses, Sue and Emily, and to Dr. Choi and staff at Wheaton Franciscan Cancer Center for their loving and compassionate care.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine    (262) 634-7888