Clara June Gaffney

Jason married Christy. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Larry married JoElin Edwards. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James Thurmon 'Chief' Edwards
Lyman


James T. "Chief" Edwards, 85, of Lyman, S.C., died Sunday morning, May 2, at his home after a long illness. He was the husband of Clara Swanson Edwards, who predeceased him in December, 1994. A native of Spartanburg County, he was the son of the late John Henry and Minnie West Edwards.

He was retired after working 20 years at Homelite/Textron in Greer, S.C., after spending 22 active years in the U.S. Navy, where he served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He spent six of those years aboard the famous U.S.S. Boise, a light cruiser known as the "one-ship fleet" for its legendary World War II battles. He was a plank owner of the original ship. He retired as a chief gunner?s mate.

Mr. Edwards was the oldest member of the Jackson Masonic Lodge #383 and was an 18th and 32nd degree Mason. During his 23 years of retirement, he was a tireless worker for the Hejaz Shrine Temple, The Provost Guard, and the Mid City Shrine Club, all benefiting the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, S.C. He participated as a Shriner since 1976, served as president of the Provost Guard in 1992, was on the board of directors of Mid City Shrine Club 1980-1990, was Provost Guard of the Year in 1989, and received many other recognitions.

Mr. Edwards is survived by his five children, Jim Edwards of Concord, Calif., Joyce Andresen and her husband, Andy, of Newnan, Ga., JoElin Gaffney of Wellford, S.C., Janet Hill and her husband, Terry, of Chapin, S.C., and Jayne Stevens of Matthews, N.C.; his seven grandchildren, Tom Cannon of Boiling Springs, S.C., Jason Gaffney and his wife, Christy, of Spartanburg, Nancy Lewis and her husband, Blair, of Matthews, N.C., Adam Stevens of Norcross, Ga., Megan Stevens of Spartanburg, S.C., Caitlin Stevens of Matthews, N.C., and Tessa Hill of Chapin, S.C.; and his two great-granddaughters, Clara June Gaffney and Savannah Jo Lewis. He is also survived by a sister, Mildred Gaston of Greer.

Visitation will be held 7 to 9 tonight at The Wood Mortuary.

Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday at Wood Memorial Park, conducted by the Rev. Arthur Holt.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, Bag of Life Program, Piedmont Chapter, Spartanburg, SC, or to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.




Published in The Greenville News: 05-03-2004

James married Clara Louise Swanson. Clara (daughter of Edwin Albert Swanson and Emma Louise Nygren) was born on 8 Jun 1920 in Pennsylvania, United States; died on 30 Dec 1994 in Lyman, Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes: