Jimmy Lee Edwards

Jim grew up in Salem, MO, the son of Wilgus and Claudine Edwards, and the second oldest of 4 children. He graduated from Salem High School in 1949. Jim began his long career in education as a teacher at Lower Parker Elementary.

He served in the Army at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma from 1952 – 1954.

He met Duetta Knier in Warrensburg, MO at Central MO State. They were married on May 28, 1960. Shortly after they were married, they built a house 8 miles south of Salem on land Jim had purchased from his grandfather. They lived in this home for almost 62 years.

In 1962 Jim was hired as the opening principal at Oak Hill R-I School and served as principal there for the next 24 years. Jim was hired by Southwest Baptist University in 1987 as the Salem Extension Director, a position he served in for 8 years.

Jim centered his life with family, the farm, love of playing ball, and the church. He was a life long member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, taught a SS class, sang in the choir, and was a respected leader in the life of the church. He was well known as part of the Edwards Trio and sang at church and numerous funerals over the years.

Playing softball/baseball was an integral part of his favorite pastime. He played 2nd base on the church softball team for decades. Jim also loved life on the farm. He raised cattle and the routine of Summer Hay Season was a center part of family life.

Jim, in his quiet and loving way, took great joy in his grandchildren. Whether it was taking them on tractor rides, fishing with them at the pond, letting them drive the pickup in the middle of the field when they could barely reach the gas pedal, or playing catch with them in the back yard, Jim loved each of them.

Jim lived a life of quiet, genuine faith. He made his community a better place to live. He was deeply loved as husband, brother, father, grandfather, friend and teacher.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Duetta (Knier) Edwards and his sister, Helen (Edwards) Rasor.

Jim is survived by his brothers, Larry Edwards of Salem and Ron Edwards of Bolivar, MO, his son Barry Edwards (Kathryn) of Warsaw, MO, his daughter Sherry McGlaughlin (John) of Olathe, KS and his daughter Tara Qalo (Israel) of Kapolei, HI, 12 grandchildren, Spencer Edwards, Myles Edwards (Lindsey), Johnna O’Bryan (Devan), Micah McGlaughlin, Elisha Qalo, Bethany Ewing (Cody), Shiloh Allen (Chris), Shekinah Davis (Chandler), Destiny Qalo, Shepherd Qalo (Kahrie), Joshua Qalo, Nathanael Qalo, and 9 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Monday, October 5, 2026 at 11AM. Visitation will precede the service at 10AM.