Jack Edwards

Published 3:00 am Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Jack Edwards, 89, passed away Memorial Day evening, May 30, 2011. Jack belonged to six generations of Edwards that made Evans County their home. He was a faithful member of Claxton First United Methodist Church and the George Durrence Sunday School Class, and a graduate of Claxton High School.

Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp, July 2, 1940, and became a master sergeant and line chief at Moody Field, volunteering to join the “Hump” Flyers. These air transport units were responsible for flying missions transporting highly combustible aircraft fuel through the treacherous weather over the Himalayan Mountain range. These flights from India into Burma and China supplied fighter and bomber aircraft to include General Claire Chennault’s Flying Tiger Unit. He left the service on Dec. 10, 1945, married Carolyn Burkhalter of Claxton in 1944, and they had four children.

Jack owned and operated Jack Edwards Service Station for many years in Claxton and worked in conjunction with the Evans County Board of Education with the maintenance of the school bus fleet. Jack’s business was a stopping point for Georgia State Troopers and GBI Agents throughout the State for repairs and fellowship.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Carolyn Burkhalter Edwards.       

Survivors are one daughter, Lynn (Mike) Fletcher of Valdosta; three sons, Jack (Fran) Edwards of Valdosta, Joe (Jan) Edwards of Cumming and John (Anita) Edwards of Claxton; one sister, Essie (Rod) Thomson of Savannah; eight grandchildren, Jennifer McLaughlin of Valdosta, Julie (Alan) Wood of Decatur, Kelli Edwards of Cumming, Lea Anne Edwards of Cumming, J.B. Edwards of Claxton, Mac Edwards of Claxton, Meredith (Brad) Adams of Valdosta and Megan (Trent) Graham of Roswell; five great-grandchildren, Isabel and Jack McLaughlin, Reese and Fletcher Adams and Cal Graham; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.        

Visitation will be held today from 4-7 p.m. at J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held Thursday, June 2, 2011, at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Wayne DeFore officiating. Burial will be in Brewton Cemetery, Hagan, Ga. Honorary pallbearers will be  all Peace Officers. Active pallbearers will be Gene Durrence, Robert Nelson, Randall Tippins, Durrell Lynn, Kenny Wells and Marty Zon.

Remembrances may be made to Claxton Methodist Backpack Ministry, P.O. Box 546, Claxton, GA, 30417: or Evans County C.A.R.E.S., P.O. Box 186, Claxton, GA, 30417.

The family would like  to express their appreciation for the love and support from the staff of Northspring Assisted Living and Ogeechee Area Hospice. — Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home, Claxton, Ga.