James Freel Edwards

James Freel Edwards, 82, of Liberty, Missouri, passed away March 5, 2020. He was born July 23, 1937 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri to Freel Sanders and Thora Arlene (White) Edwards. He was valedictorian of the 1955 class of Excelsior Springs High School. Jim ran track while in high school and they were State Champs. He also won several competitions in public speaking. On March 1, 1959 he married Erma Kay Ferguson. They celebrated 61 years of marriage on March 1st.

He farmed with his family all his life. They raised certified corn and soybeans, cattle, milk cows and for a short time, raised hogs. Jim was certified as an organic farmer in 2001. He served on the Clay County Zoning Board for over 35 years and the Board for the ASC. Jim worked as a life insurance agent for Modern American during the 1970s and earned an award for being a Top 10 Agent in the nation. He was very community oriented and had a passion for service. In 2013, he was awarded the Clay County Legacy Award.

Jim was a former member of Missouri City Christian Church and currently a member of Second Baptist Church of Liberty. Jim had a generous and giving heart, he would drop anything to help someone who needed it. Over his life, he would give his time, vegetables or whatever he could for someone in need. Jim was a gifted writer, writing countless stories, poems and songs. He was always singing, entertaining and trying to make life better for those around him.

Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Erma Kay Edwards; his three children, Tammy Sharp (married to Terry Sharp) of Gladstone, Sherry Edwards (engaged to Robert L. Babb, II) of Orrick, and Ron Edwards (engaged to Heather Knoll) of Kansas City, Missouri; his grandchildren, Keely Morgan Edwards, Colin James Edwards, Matthew Ryan Sharp (married to Genevieve Marie Sharp), Melissa Renee Sharp, and Jake Knoll; and great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Elizabeth Busby-Sharp, Maddyson Marie Sharp, and Allyson Faith Thomas.

A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00pm, Monday, March 9th at Second Baptist Church, 300 E Kansas St, Liberty, MO 64068. Funeral services will be 5:00pm, Tuesday, March 10th at the church. Interment will follow in Fairview New Hope Cemetery of Liberty.