Mr. John Edmondson

John “Buddy” Edmondson was born on May 21, 1936, in Nashville, TN. John was the 2nd of 8 children born to Ruby Alexander Edmondson and John “Big John” Edmondson.

John attended Pearl High School in Nashville, TN and graduated in May 1955. At Pearl High he had a wonderful time not only with his brothers and sisters that attended with him, but also a host of good friends that have remained in touch to this day. Clark Sharpe has been a steadfast friend since they walked to school together as boys. He will surely miss his friend, Buddy.

It was around this time he met Mary Stephens while both were attending college at Tennessee State University. They became fast friends and contemplated marriage, but Uncle Sam came calling. John was drafted into the Army in 1959 and was stationed in Fort Campbell, KY. He was part of the illustrious 101st Airborne Division. His unit was known as the “Screaming Eagles.” Almost anyone who has ever met John has heard at least one story about the many parachutes jumps he performed while in active-duty service.

After the military, and Mary’s graduation from TSU, the two married and later became the proud parents of two daughters, Kimberly Marie and Karen Michelle.

The little family moved to Kentucky for John to attend United Electronics School. This put him in the right place at the right time to land a position in Texas with General Dynamics in 1966. He was among the first African American members to desegregate the company so they could retain their government contracts. John went to Texas with several people from the electronics school. One of those people was another high school classmate, Marvie Trotter. Marvie and John were often known to jump in the car at a moment’s notice and take a quick trip back to their Nashville stomping ground! Mr. Trotter passed on before John, but we anticipate he was waiting for him on the other side.

As was the nature of government contracts, periodic layoffs were common. John was still able to find work at Sears, IBM, and other places to keep his small family afloat. During this time, John would be laid off again and start working as maintenance in Woodhaven Apartment Homes in Fort Worth. This is where he would meet Reverend David Lewis. Because of Reverend Lewis’ patience and friendship, John became the FIRST member of Bethlehem Church of God In Christ. There was many a Sunday when John would bring both his daughters to join with Reverend Lewis, his lovely wife, Vera, their daughters, Michelle and Stephanie and son, Aaron. Church would sometimes consist of 8 or 9 people. But wherever there are 2 or more gathered together in His name… and so a good time in the spirit was had by all. Reverend Lewis, I’m sure, was also waiting for John on the other side with open arms.

After many years, John and Mary peaceably divorced. They have remained cordial to this very day, in large part due to the badgering from the two daughters they share. Even then it took a village.

John was once again blessed to find love and friendship in marriage to Annie J Austin with whom he shared 22 years until her heavenly homegoing in 2012. Ann brought her six children into the village and thus began another avenue for life lessons and grandchildren! John was always willing to show fatherly care and concern for Ann’s descendants as well as his own. If you ask them, Ann’s children and grandchildren have their own precious memories of how “Dad” and “Grandad” shaped their lives. John and Ann served as active members of Bethlehem Church of God In Christ. Ann was a member of the Kitchen Committee and would bake beautiful cakes to accompany delicious bbq plate lunches. John eventually became a Deacon in the church, singing with the Men’s choir and performing “duties as assigned”. Pastor Boatner always jokes that this was John’s church and that all maintenance issues had to be cleared with the Deacon. John was known for giving advice when asked (and sometimes when not!) It is safe to say that faith and family have always been the main foundations for joy in John’s life.

John was preceded in death by his parents - John Jr. and Ruby Edmondson, wife - Annie J. Edmondson; brother - Harry Eugene Edmondson; sisters – Jesse May Edmondson, Rachel Thompson, Georgetta Kincaid, and Thelma Scantlin.

Left to continue his legacy are daughters - Kimberly Dorsey and Karen Edmondson, sister – Amanda Edmondson, brother – Larry Edmondson; Bonus children (Ann’s) - Gladys Johnson, Anthony Austin, Vanessa Austin Bell (David) and Harold Austin; grandchildren – Bryan Dorsey II (Natalie), Matthew Dorsey (Erica), Elisa Dorsey (Joshua), Aaliyah Terrell, Anniquia Austin and a host of other precious young lives that will no doubt be amazed at the magnitude of stories featuring Grandaddy John aka Paw Paw.