Dear Uncle - It's hard to believe that it is your one year anniversary. You are thought of a lot and fond memories come to my mind all the time. Thank you for being the helpful, smiling, and great person you were here on earth. I know it is a blessed time for you with your parents and siblings.
Love, Sylvia

Remembering you today on the 1st anniversary of your passing. Rest in Peace. One day I will see you again!

Thinking of you today Uncle Needie....rest well see you in the morning!

Happy 81 birthday in heaven mr edwards. I miss you everyday but mine is a small price to pay to have your skills in heaven for those that have also gone before us. —singing with the choirs of angels —-I know your beautiful voice fits right in and is pleasing to our Lord.

Respect always.

Peter. 
There is always a project at 121.

I am remembering my dear uncle this day. He was such a blessing in my life. With a true servant's heart to do for others, that's the legacy I remember.

Thank you God for letting him be a part of my life.

Sylvia L.

Remembering you on your birthday Uncle Needie. You are missed. Continue to rest in peace.

Jeff and Peter,

It's been a tender joy to read through these memories of your father. I know the loss is profound, and made more difficult by the pandemic.  My family and I are thinking of you both, and what it means to live your life so characterized by service to others that it becomes your
name!

All our best,
Guy, Michelle, Alice, and Doug

Jeffrey & Peter

My dearest friends please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of you father, there’s nothing more sacred than a father and his sons, he teaches all he believes and knows so you can become strong, intelligent, respectful and loving human beings, as your friend I’ve received all those things from you because you had a dad who raised you to be the special person you are. If there’s anything you need, know that I’m a phone call away. Thank you Mr. Edwards, May you Rest In Peace

Jeff and Peter,
I'm so very sorry for your loss and hope that amidst this era of social distancing, you are able to be "joined" by friends and families to support you with love and warm memories. Sending hugs and prayers to all of you.
God Bless,
Suz

I never had a personal contact with Mr. Edwards but I know about him from Jeff and Peter.
The thing I like about him best was that he was called Needy by his friends and relatives. He was always there for anyone in need.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have an Uncle Needy in your life?
I am sure his loss will be felt by many people that were helped by him
Eternal rest grant unto Joseph oh Lord and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed Rest In Peace
Amen

Tanya, Ronald, & Jeffrey

Uncle Needy will definitely be missed and never, ever forgotten. I'm thankful to have known him as an Uncle and one my dad's friends, and Masonic brothers.  I pray that in the midst of your sorrow you find comfort, peace and love in the memories you cherish.

Uncle Needie,
Rest in Peace. You are loved and will be missed. Thank you for all for your support down through the years. God Bless you Jeff and Ronald! You will be in our prayers. We love you...Tanya, Barry, Nia, Chloe and Jay

Uncle Needie thank you for your love and kindness. You will be missed. We love you. May you rest in peace until we meet again.

My dear cousin & Peter,

Words can not express how I feel but I will always have fond memories of uncle Needie. I will never forget when I had my learners permit and my dad didn’t trust me to drive but your dad let me drive him to the store. Our dads would get us together as family & we would have so much fun but by the end of they day the would be arguing & then would be right back together Lol. I realized they expressed their love in different ways.

I will keep you, Peter, Ronald & all the family in prayer! I love you cousin. Rest In Peace Uncle.

Hi Jeff & Peter,

My heartfelt condolences for the loss of your beloved father. May you find peace and comfort knowing that my thoughts and many other people are with you during this difficult time.
Your loss is deeply felt. I am here for you.

What a joy it was to be around Mr. Edwards. He had such a flirty nature and oftentimes made me blush. I enjoyed his down-to-earth personality and tell it like it is attitude. I lalso loved how he expressed his love for Jeff - their father/son interactions were hilarious. Rest in peace Mr. Edwards.

“Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.” - Author Unknown

James and I are so sorry for your loss and wish you healing and peace during this difficult time.

Much love...

I am so sorry to learn of your loss, Jeff. I did not have the pleasure of meeting your dad, but I know that you are him, in kindness, thoughtfulness, and perseverance. No matter how old you are, losing a parent, is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know. I hope the memories of his love will comfort you; for grief is the price we pay for love.

Jeffrey and Peter, I am so very sorry for your loss and am sending hugs and prayers. I know it is so difficult to lose a parent and am sending all my love. Hugs, Deb

I had the honor to meet Mr Edwards in 2002 BUT hold these last four years as the most special as we grew to know, understand and appreciate each other more. He was amazing and I feel honored to have known him.

Being from a different generation, it must not have been easy to accept all the things that came his way and I understood that. My respect for his strong work ethic, love of family, service to country and boundless energy was there from the start. However, in these last few years, my admiration of him grew much deeper as  we exchanged stories of our life, ideas, news of the latest gadgets and technology and sang together. 

Related to song, our favorite duet was "To Dream the Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha. He was quite a singer and had a love of all types of music from what I could tell. From Charlie Pride to Stevie Wonder or singing Amazing Grace, it was a joy to hear him sing and he often did so in harmony. As a young man, he told me that he started a neighborhood quartet. He also told me that I was not a good singer (smile) but he let me sing with him anyway

He was always energetic and curious to learn new things and I admire that quality about him because its the one we shared most. He loved his "friend" Alexa and, so much so that, he had one of her in every room. She always played the songs he loved and did the things he asked of her. I cant blame him for that..... but having 10 Alexas may have been too much (smile). He loved the Andy Griffith Show, Gun Smoke, and Richard Pryor. Not any of these are on my personal hit parade, but I loved to see his eyes light up when talking about his favorite lines, jokes and characters!

He was one of the first African Americans to be certified as a Master Electrician in the state of Virginia and, quite naturally, that was a great source of pride for him and for all of us. He used those and other skills in his career at the US Park Service and was an exemplary employee. While there, he installed the first electric wiring at the historic Frederick Douglass House and , 40+ years later, I was proud and excited to tour this historic landmark with him. I had to chuckle to myself because he knew as much or more of the home's history than the tour guide and he had no problem correcting  or adding to their narrative. It is also a poignant point for me that, as a strong, independent and talented leader like Mr Edwards, he had the honor to do this work in a house that honors the same resolve of an African American icon who came before him

He also served at the White House for some time---restoring rooms, upgrading electrical systems there and my favorite---helping the President to push the (other) button each Christmas. With his family in the crowd , it was Mr Edwards who hit the real switch (behind the curtain) at the tree lighting ceremony as the President and First Lady made a show of pressing the ceremonial one!

He was a hard working guy and almost non stop (i understand that his beloved wife shared that quality too) and this commitment to work ethic was not for work's sake alone but to achieve their share of the American Dream. Because of this drive, they were able to buy two beautiful homes --the 2nd he built---and they were brave pioneers as he integrated his family into those neighborhoods. By all accounts, his neighbors came to appreciate and call Joe and his family good friends throughout the years

He told me on more than a few occasions that he raised his children to judge others by the content of their character and not by race or other superficial qualities. He shared some examples of the terrible bigotry and discrimination he faced at times but that he did not let that stop him from doing good, respecting others or cause him to hold anger or resentment for anyone as a result This I believe wholeheartedly and not just because he told me but I see this very special quality in his son Jeff and its one I strive to emulate. This is a fine example of strong character for all of us to heed!

There are so many good ways I will remember Mr Edwards but one of his rhymes , which he often recited, is what I think sums him up the best for me. In fact, the following verse hangs over my desk and I read it aloud everyday as a mantra for me to follow and a way to pay respect to him. It reads

Once a Task has just begun
Never Leave it til it's done
Be the labor big or small
Do it well or Not at all

Mr Edward's, your life's task is done and you did it well! 
Thank you for being my friend and such a good example of what a man should be!