Jeffery Edwards

Jeffrey Edwards was born on June 11, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois to the union of Deloris (Brimage) Heard and Talmadge “Eddie” Edwards. At the age of six, Jeffrey moved to Memphis, Tn. with his older brother Michael Brimage and younger siblings Vivian and Vincent Edwards where they were raised by their grandmother Mrs. Alice Miller and Mr. Lester Miller. At an early age, Jeff attended the St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church with his grandmother, aunts, uncles, and siblings. It was there that he was introduced to Christ. Jeff later rededicated his life to the Lord at a revival service at Angie Ray ministries in Chicago, Illinois. Jeff resided in Memphis, Tn. for over twenty years. He attended both Fredrick Douglass Elementary and High Schools from which he graduated. While in high school, Jeffrey met his high school sweetheart, Elaine Hines. Their friendship and courtship brought both families great joy with the birth of their son Marcus Antonio Edwards. After completing high school, Jeffrey entered military service with the U.S. Navy. Seaman Edwards was a proud serviceman and learned valuable life skills while enlisted. Upon returning home from military service, Jeffrey moved to Chicago, Il. and took on various jobs as a general laborer. Desiring a career in the trades, he then attended the Dawson Technical Institute, where he was accepted into an Electrician Apprenticeship program and received certification. This was a happy moment for him and a skill he used for the rest of his life. Fatherhood also brought tremendous joy to Jeffrey’s life. When he met Gail Matthews, he found the love of his life and built a family with her. They had three children, Jeffrey Jr., Anthony, and Melissa Marie. He often called their names with such love and affection. When it came to talent, skill and ability, Jeffrey was a jack of all trades. He was a handyman, a carpenter, an electrician, and even a mechanic. Whatever you needed fixed at the time, he was going to find a way to do it. He could often be found replacing someone’s brakes on their car or tiling someone’s kitchen floor or replacing a light switch or fixture of some sort. He often went on many repair jobs with his buddy and dear friend Mr. Sidney Rucker. Jeffrey was gifted and caring. He would go out of his way to help anyone. At heart, Jeffrey was a country boy. He loved to fish and would spend many summers fishing at any local pond, creek, or lagoon he could find. He also had a great love for music, playing chess, art, drawing and even golf on occasion. As a Southern man, he also loved to work in the yard. He often worked with his aunt Rochelle doing various landscaping jobs. The lawns that he would cut were pristine and resembled carpet. He took pride in those little things. Jeff was a simple man with a quiet but kind heart. He was shy and sometimes soft spoken but also tenacious; especially when it came to his family, who he deeply loved. On December 17, 2023, Jeffrey departed this life to begin life anew. He was preceded in death by his mother Deloris Heard, brothers Michael Brimage and Vincent Edwards and son Jeffrey Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory three beloved children Marcus, Anthony and Melissa, and their mother Gail, granddaughter Kamiyah, father Talmadge, sisters Vivian and Rebecca, aunts Rochelle and Evette, a host of family and dear friends and his beloved cat PJ. He is greatly loved and greatly missed.

Jeffery Edwards

June 11, 1959 - December 17, 2023