Rev. Frank Edison Jr.

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On the evening of Wednesday April 3, 2024, with the promise of Heaven in his heart, Reverend Frank Edison, Jr. transitioned peacefully from this earthly life to his heavenly home surrounded by the love of family and friends. He was 71 years old.

Born in Beaumont, Texas on March 16, 1953, Frank was the oldest of two children born to Frank Edison, Sr. and Susie Mae Edison. In his youth, Frank attended schools in the Beaumont Independent School District, graduating from Charlton-Pollard High School in 1971. While in school, he was an active student and a member of the football team. After high school, Frank attended Lamar University before joining the United States Navy where he served for four years.

Frank professed his faith, accepted Christ and was baptized by Rev. G.W. Daniels at the Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont. In 1986, Frank accepted his call to ministry, and was a faithful minister and steward of God’s Word for 38 years. In the 1980s, Frank moved to Austin and met Debra Jones. They were united in marriage on January 25, 1992. Early in their courtship, Debra invited him to join her for church at the East Nineteenth Street Missionary Baptist Church. He joined soon after and made “The Street” his church home where he worshipped, ministered and served faithfully until his passing.

Rev. Edison was a devoted member of the Ministerial Staff at Nineteenth Street and was always ready and willing to deliver the Good News of God’s Word; and though that was the most important work, his work for the church and the community did not stop there. Rev. Edison was the Personal Assistant to Pastor Walker, and during his time at Nineteenth Street, was an active member in several ministries including the transportation and media ministries, as well as a member of the custodial staff. He also loved to sing and was a member of the New Spirit Choir, and president of the Nineteenth Street Male Chorus. He loved his church and his church family and was always ready, willing and happy to support the work of the church whenever and however needed.

Outside of his ministry work, Frank held various jobs throughout his lifetime. He was a bus driver for AISD, worked for City of Austin Recycling, was a porter for Leif Johnson Ford and even had a paper route and “threw papers” for the Austin American Statesman. However, the career he was most proud of was working for Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Home where he was a faithful and dedicated employee for 21 years. Throughout the course of his tenure there, he was a DEVOTED employee who was willing and available to serve the company and his community, even when he was not scheduled to work. Though he assisted with several functions at the funeral home, it was known and understood that he loved to drive the coach!

Frank enjoyed several pastimes, but most of all he loved the Dallas Cowboys, and loved to be surrounded by his family, especially his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. Though he leaves behind a legacy of love, service and stewardship, he will forever be remembered and cherished by all who knew and loved him.

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Frank Edison, Sr. and Susie Mae Edison; his daughter, Adasha Edison; his great-grandson, Kenzo Frederick; his in-laws, Willis and Sarah Alfred; his brother-in-law, Bobby Greer; his nephew, Cinque Davis and his godchild, Tiffany Wright.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Debra; five children, Dannan James Edison (Alicha) and Demetria Gillespie (Arthur) of Beaumont, Texas, Shelly Jackson of Round Rock, Texas, Cedric Edison of San Marcos, Texas and Dana Campbell (Derrick) of Lake Charles, Louisiana; his sister, Mary Ann Greer; his nephew, Victor Bell (Andrea); his niece, Franquinisha Hawkin; his godchildren, Lucretia Gage Foreman, Trequoi J. Richard (Danny), Ryan Chantz Houston-Dial, PhD and Gabrielle Rivers; his bonus siblings, Denita Gage Kelly, Milton Paul Gage (Pshawn), and Geraldine Gage Burris (Rico); his godsisters Doris Green and Debra Green Jones (Daniel); twelve grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends who will cherish his memory forever.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 from 3pm-7pm at Fuller-Sheffield Funeral Home, 2808 E. MLK Jr. Blvd, Austin, 78702. A Celebration of His Life will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 11am at East 19th St. Missionary Baptist Church, 3401 Rogge Ln, Austin, 78723.