Judy Edwards

Sister Judy Allen Edwards, was born to Odessa Chester Wimberly and Booker T. Wimberly on February 1, 1945, in Cuthbert, GA. She was reared by Odessa and Eddie C. Howard, Sr. At an early age she established a relationship with Christ and joined the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. There she served faithfully as the youth director for over 30 years, taught Youth Sunday School Class for several years, and diligently served at the Christian Conferences with the affiliated churches. During many summers, she volunteered her time and taught Vacation Bible School Classes at St. Luke (Randolph) Missionary Baptist Church.  She was a 1963 honor graduate of the Randolph County Training School (RCTS) where she was a cheerleader and the Senior Class Secretary. In 1964, she obtained certification from Byrne Business College in Albany, GA, for IBM Key Punching. Sis. Judy was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Julius Murphy, Sr., in 1964 and this union was blessed with one child. She was later united in Holy Matrimony to the late Leon “Pop” Allen in 1974, and this union was blessed with two children. In 1998, she was united in Holy Matrimony to G.W. Edwards. She had a love for children and was employed with the Randolph County School System as a paraprofessional for 30 yrs and 7 months. She was employed at Perkins Funeral Home for 20 over years as a driver and a lady attendant.    She was a member of the Georgia Retired Educators Association and Randolph County Retired Educators Association where she served as president from 2010-2012, she was the CNA Resident Council President for the Calhoun County Nursing Home, and Poll Precinct Supervisor for the Henderson High School Gym Site for several years. Sis. Judy enjoyed reading, dancing, sewing, planting flowers, and when she was able visits to the beach. Some of her greatest joys came when she was spending quality time with family and friends. She had an infectious smile that will truly be missed. Sis. Judy Allen Edwards, departed her earthly life on Friday, June 2, 2017, at Calhoun County Nursing Home in Edison, GA. God dispatched his angels and whispered to Judy, “You have kept the faith and fought a good fight, come home my child and take your eternal rest.” We pause now to give thanks, honor, and glory to God for sharing her with us for 72 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie and Odessa Howard Sr., Booker T. (Carolyn) Wimberly; her brothers, Lee Norris Wimberly, Melvin Wimberly and William Howard. She leaves to cherish her memories her estranged husband, G.W. Edwards of Cuthbert, GA; her devoted children, Julius (Olapeju) Murphy, Jr. of Grayson, GA., Kathy (Brian) Thornton of Cuthbert, GA, and Leon “Mike” (LaKeisha) Allen of Leesburg, GA.  her grandchildren, Kalonji, Temi, Brian II, Byron, Tre, Marquez, Brianna, Landon, Leah, Chelsea and Shakeria; one great grandchild, Kamdyn; a faithful sister, Janis (the late Dennis “Chip” Gilbert); a loving brother and sister, Eddie C. (Annie Doris) Howard Jr., all of Cuthbert,GA, Gwendolyn (Eddie) Mallard of Albany, GA, Betty (Reggie) Fair of Hartford, Connecticut, Audrey (Walter) Jenkins of Springfield, Massachusetts, Tommie and Belinda Wimberly and Pamela (Melvin) Tillman all of Cuthbert, GA; a sister in law, Linda Howard of Albany, GA; a special uncle, Billy Chester of Bronx, NY and god-sisters, Shirley (Floyd) Gilbert of Springvale,GA, and Mayo Rita Jordan of Atlanta, GA; three special nieces Bridgette Prise and Tiesha Allen both of Albany, GA; and Jasmine Gilbert of Cuthbert, GA; 5 special nephews, Eddie C. Howard III of Cuthbert, GA, Eric Howard of Valdosta, GA, Harvey “Dennis” Smith of Cuthbert, GA, Phillip Howard of Mableton, GA and Joshua Howard of Atlanta, GA; two goddaughters, Courtney (Lee) Murphy of Cuthbert, GA and Venee Shorter of Snellville, GA; two special god grandchildren,Caleb and Caleigh Murphy, and a host of nephews, nieces and friends.