Obituary of J.T. Edge

Funeral services for Jesse Thomas Edge, age 87, of Wadley, will be held Monday, September 29, 2014, at 1:00 pm from Beulah Christian Church with Rev. Phil Gore officiating. Burial will follow at Wadley Cemetery with Quattlebaum Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 11:00 am on Monday. Mr. Edge died peacefully at his home in Wadley, Alabama on Saturday, September 27th. Born June 23, 1927 to loving parents Samuel and Mattie Edge in Abanda, Alabama, he was a lifelong resident of Wadley. As a Wadley High School student during World War II, he finished a year early by attending summer school in order to enlist in the US Navy. After service as a radioman aboard LSMR 524, he was honorable discharged into civilian life where he taught vocational skills to returning servicemen in Randolph County. He remained active in the military serving in the Alabama National Guard and ultimately retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Army Reserves. He attended Southern Union College and The University of Alabama prior to earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville University. He taught chemistry and biology at Valley High and Wadley High Schools before joining the faculty of Southern Union College. He then moved to Starke, Florida for a brief period as an engineer with Florida Hydrocarbons before returning to Wadley as Buildings and Grounds Manager for Southern Union. After obtaining his Masters in Education from Auburn University, he assumed the position of Business Manager and finally as Financial Aid Manager for Southern Union State Junior College from which he retired. In retirement, he enjoyed the life of a gentleman farmer. He was committed to his community as a faithful member of Kiwanis Club and Beulah Congregational Christian Church where he served as superintendent and Deacon. He is predeceased by his parents and brothers, Otis and Marion Edge; sisters, Mrs. Minnie Lee Milner, Mrs. Mimi Florence and Mrs. Sara Hall. Survivors include his cherished wife of 64 years, Marian Smith Edge; children, Mrs. Debra A. O'Rear of Wedowee, COL (Ret.) Samuel I. Edge of Auburn and Mark T. Edge MD, PhD of Belmont, NC; and a sister, Mrs. Ramona Sims of Buchanan, GA. He is also dearly loved and will be greatly missed by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Scott Sims, Wesley Edge, Andrew Wheeler, Bobby Bugg, Jerry Hall and Terry Williams. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Beulah Congregational Christian Church, c/o Helen Bugg, P O Box 16, Wadley, AL 36276. The family would like to extend its profound gratitude to the community of Wadley and JT's friends to whom he gave all he had and from whom was returned to him in kind. We especially thank Clay County Hospice, Mrs. Kelly Johnson and Mr. Andrew Wheeler, and all the wonderful ladies who gave him the kindest care possible at the end of his life. An extraordinarily generous and loving soul, he leaves a sad vacancy in our family and community, but we are comforted to remember his great spirit which has found its place in heaven.