Sedley – James Cecil Edwards, 76, went to be with his heavenly Father on November 11, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. A native of Southampton County, he was the son of the late Crawley Cecil and Athie Jones Edwards. Cecil was a retired farmer and retired Southampton County Sheriff's Deputy. He was a member of Black Creek Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, RA leader, treasurer, and church moderator. For several years, he was a National Guardsman. He served on the first board of directors at Southampton Academy in 1969. Cecil was a charter member in 1955 of the Black Creek-Burdette Ruritan Club, a member of the Black Creek Hunt Club, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #56.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years, Jean Talmage Edwards; two daughters, Lisa E. Danielson of Sedley and Deborah E. Johnson and husband, Michael, of Sedley; four grandchildren, Adam Danielson and Clay Oakley, Benjamin and Megan Johnson, all of Sedley; one sister, Jacqueline E. Bly and cousin, Charlotte E. Whitley of Franklin; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Cecil was predeceased by a sister, Lessie Mae Beale.
The funeral will be conducted Friday, November 14, at 2:00 pm at Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Willis Switzer and the Rev. Greg Kitts officiating. Interment will follow in Black Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 8:30 pm at the funeral home and suggest memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Ms. Kathy Worrell, 717 Fairview Drive, Franklin, Va. 23851 or the National ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 150, Calabasas Hills, Ca. 91301-5104.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Alan Edwards, Dr. Michael Ponder, R. N. Amy Carr, and the Southampton Memorial Hospice/Home Healthcare Staff. Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org