Joseph Martin Edwards Sr.

He leaves his wife of 55 years, Barbara Edwards; his three sons, Joseph Martin Edwards Jr., Steven Baxter Edwards and wife Dawn Wise Edwards, and Kenneth Scott Edwards; four grandchildren, Anna Grace Niece, Dylan Edwards, Ryan Joyce, and Morgan Edwards; sister, Ann Edwards Jessup and husband Tommy Jessup and brother, A.G. Edwards III and wife Judy Edwards; sister-in-law, Dawn Stephenson Morrison and husband Doug Morrison and brother-in-law, Carl (Buddy) Stephenson and wife Ann Stephenson; and many close friends and family members. Joe was preceded in death by his youngest son, Christopher Lee Edwards.

Joe was born July 31, 1939 and raised in Vass, NC, the son of A.G. and Margaret Edwards Jr., with the dream to travel and see the world. In his early years, Joe attended Campbell University only to leave and join the Navy to follow his dream. He always spoke passionately of Greece, Italy and scuba diving in the Mediterranean Sea. After 7 years in the Navy, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard with his first station being in Caswell Beach. Joe retired from the Coast Guard in 1978 in Elizabeth City, NC as Chief Petty Officer and eventually made his way back to Long Beach, NC in 1983 making it his home. After retiring, Joe started a plumbing and electrical business that has been in operation for over 35 years.

Joe loved the ocean, water sports, fishing and stock car racing and I cannot remember a time in our lives without these things, but the most important thing he loved was his family.

As a son you look to your father for guidance and values to transition from a boy to a man. As a father, a son could not have asked for a better mentor. I remember several words of advice he shared, with one in particular: “All things will eventfully correct themselves; however, you may not like the end results.” This holds so true today.

In remembrance of Joe, a Celebration of Life will be held this Thursday, December 17, at 801 Ocean Dr. with the celebration starting at 5:00 pm and ending at 6:30 pm.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, to make a donation to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center http://www.hospiceandlifecarecenter.org/ or to your favorite charity in memory of a loved one you cherish.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport.