Obituary: James F. ‘Jim’ Edwards

James F. “Jim” Edwards
James F. “Jim” Edwards

Funeral services for James F. “Jim” Edwards, 83 of LaRue, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2013 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Athens. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens.

Mr. Edwards passed away on Monday, June 17, 2013 in Magnolia, Texas.

James Frank Edwards was born March 28, 1930 in Terrell, the son of Opher Edwards and Mae Marie Hopkins Edwards. He was raised a Baptist and was a member of the Southside Baptist Church in Port Neches, Texas. He joined the Air Force and later worked as a supervisor for The Federal Aviation Administration as a supervisor. He married the love of his life Mary Mae Rounsavall in 1958 in. He was a Mason of Lodges in Terrell and in Tyler staying very active until his illness. He loved to travel and later in life was able to see many places all over the world. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed carpentry, farming fishing and beekeeping. “Pipaw” was a a loving husband, father, uncle and grandfather. He was a family man and will be missed by all he knew and loved.

“Jim” was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Mary Ruth Johnson; and two grandchildren, James Grudier and Baby Girl Coral.

He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Rounsavall Edwards; two daughters, Hazel Grudier and husband Larry C. of Magnolia, Texas, Helen Coral and husband Doug of New Caney; one cousin, Pat Thornblom; one niece, Ann Davis Sullivan; and six grandchildren, Sarah Grudier, Jonathan Coral, Justin Coral, Nathan Grudier, Jennipher and Julia Grudier.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 20, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Ronald Smith, Dennis Rounsavall, Richard Rounsavall, Danny Rounsavall, Jimmy Rounsavall and Tony Rounsavall.

Honorary Pallbearers will be David Rounsavall, Johnny Rounsavall, Guy Ray Lambright, Charles Taylor and J.D. Wallace.