James Robert Edwards

Obituary For James Robert Edwards

James Robert Edward, 77 of East Setauet, New York, formerly of Ridgeway, VA, died March 10, 2026. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 19, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Christian View Missionary Baptist Church, 360 Arrowhead Circle Spencer, VA. The “Celebration of Life will begin at 12 Noon with interment following at Spencer-Redd Family Cemetery, Old Dillard Road Ridgeway, VA.

Website for livestream of the funeral is:

https://www.youtube.com/live/7c38tL0OeuU?si=7qPoOuT1IZMauK9l

A public viewing will be held Wednesday March 18, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Perry-Spencer Funeral Home 402 Short Ave., Madison, NC.

"It's difficult to hold on sometimesbut someday beyond our tears and all the world's wrongs, beyond the clouds and all we can see and touch, there will be love, compassion and justice, and we shall all understand.” Flavia

James Robert Edwards, 77, was born in Patrick County to the late Margaret Ruth Houchins Edwards and Robert Lee Edwards, after three days of arduous labor. The small rental house located in the 'Holla'' up from the community called 'NEED MO' was the home of his maternal grandparents, George Houchins, Sr. and Odessa Rucker Houchins. His paternal grandparents were the late James Wythe and Fannie “Grubus” Redd Edwards Taylor. He surrendered to the Masters call Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Stony Brook Hospital in New York, with his son, sister and brother-in-law by his side.

In 1951 the family moved from Stuart, VA to Ridgeway, VA. James attended Richard H. Clarke and Samuel H. Hairston Elementary Schools. He graduated from George Washington Carver High School in May 1967. He went on to earn his B.S. degree in History from Hampton University in 1971. He continued his studies at the University of New York at Stony Brook, earning an M.A. in Liberal Studies in 1979. Further work was done at Long Island University – C.W. Post College, where he received a M.S. in Education in 1983.

James worked as a bagboy after school and summers at Cooper & Ratcliffe Supermarket Riverhill.

At an early age James became a member, along with his brother Michael, of First Christian Church of Stuart, VA. He served in the Usher Fellowship. Soon after arriving on Long Island in 1971, James started attending Bethel AME Church Setauket, Setauket, NY and became a member January 1972. He sang in the senior choir, served on the usher board, and a Trustee.

His teaching career began at The Stony Brook Prep School in Stony Brook, NY in the fall of 1971. Here he taught history and social studies. He also served as the work-to-job supervisor, dormitory master, campus master, and counselor. This was a time of personal growth and development. The next step in his job experience was in the Mail and Messenger Department at Stony Brook University 1977-1980.

James entered the field of Special Education at Sagamore Psychiatric Center for Children and Youth in Dix Hills, NY in 1980, where he became a teacher working with the highest functioning senior and junior high students. James retired in August 2011, with 34 years of service in NY.

James became the full-time caregiver, Steward, and patient advocate for his longtime partner, Charles M. Johnson, Jr. until his death in 2021.

James was a Life member of the NAACP, The Open Society of Long Island (an adoption advocacy group), the NY Council on Adoptable Children, officer of the Higher Ground Historical Society, member and supporter of FAHI (Fayette Area Historical Initiative) Museum of Martinsville, VA. From 1985 to 2001 he was a hotline counselor for the Long Island Association of AIDS Care.

In addition to his parents, and grandparents, he was preceded in death by his brother Michael Edwards, Sr. He leaves behind to celebrate his life one son, Arthur L. Edwards of Jersey City, NJ; one sister, Susan Edwards (Jaime) Torres of Ridgeway, VA; one Sister-inLaw, Valeria “Lybbie” Edwards of Ridgeway, VA; three (3) grandchildren, Arthur J. Edwards, Jr. of Jersey City, NJ; Breanna Edwards and Sheena Edwards of CA; two aunts, Edith Pitzer of Martinsville, and Iris Stone (Andrew) Patterson of Ridgeway; Niece and nephews Cerise (Timothy) Waiters of Stockton, CA; William (Chelsea) Torres of Ridgeway, VA; Michael W. (Ulonda) Edwards of Ridgeway, VA; Erik Torres of Ridgeway, VA and Henry Torres of CA; and a host of great nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

''Once in a while someone touches our lives leaving us with watercolored moments that stay in our hearts forever… Flavia

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