Jonathan Richard Edwards Iii

John R. Edwards Jonathan Richard Edwards, III, 85 a resident of Pelahatchie, Mississippi, died peacefully in is sleep on Friday, December2, 2022, at the veterans Nursing Home in Collins, Mississippi. Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at Pelahatchie Baptist Church with burial at Pelahatchie Cemetery. Visitation is Monday, December 5, 2022, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Wolf Funeral Services in Morton, MS; and Tuesday, December 6, 2022, from 9:00 AM until 9:50 AM at Pelahatchie Baptist Church.
A native of Rankin County, Mr. Edwards was born on May 26, 1937 in the home of his grandfather, Dr. Jonathan Richard Edwards, Sr., in Leesburg, MS. He was the son of Jonathan Richard Edwards, Jr. and Mary Frances Rives Edwards of Pelahatchie. Mr. Edwards was a graduate of the University of Mississippi. He spent his career years working as a Patrolman for the Mississippi Highway Patrol. His starting assignment of MHP work was in Crystal Springs, MS. Mr. Edwards joined the Highway Patrol on November 1, 1962, and served as a Patrolman in Copiah and Rankin Counties. He worked in 1968 in the MHP Livestock Theft Bureau and later worked his way up the ranks and was promoted to Assistant Chief of MHP, where he served until his retirement in 1987, after a long and successful career of law enforcement service. He served with the Army National Guard during a time of State crisis in the 1970s. After his retirement from MHP, Mr. Edwards served as chief investigator for the Rankin County District Attorney’s Office. He dedicated his whole life to law enforcement service and working for the safety of our families and all citizens, upholding all the laws of our state and protecting the wellbeing of others at all times. Mr. Edwards was a faithful member of the Pelahatchie Masonic Lodge # 276.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Docie Joyner Edwards. His children are daughter, Due Edwards McKinion (Johnny); son, Sam Edwards (Holli); daughter-in-law, Lisa Griffin Edwards. Grandchildren are Joey Edwards (Laura); Morgan McKinion; Peyton McKinion; Dixie Edwards; Great Grandchildren are Mae Edwards, J.R., and Luke Edwards. Brother is Tommy Edwards (Debbie); sisters, Pat Edwards Tisdale (Robert); Kathy Edwards Jones (Milton); brother-in-law, Peter Richardson. Nephews are Ty Edwards (Anna); Brian Jones (Lindsey) and Jay Jones. Nieces are Tiffany Edwards Martin (Ken); Hope Richardson Ramage (Ben) and Robyn Tisdale Evens (Dan). John was preceded in death by his parents, Jonathan Richard Edwards and Mary Frances Edwards; son, Ricky Edwards; sister, Jo Frances Edwards Richardson.
Pallbearers will be Sam Edwards, Joey Edwards, Peyton McKinion, Cullen Calhoun, Brian Jones, Jay Jones, Richard Joyner and Steve Joyner.
Honorary pallbearer will be Mr. Bill McKinney, a dear friend of John’s and fellow MHP partner.
Brother Spencer Sullivan officiated the funeral services, Family friend Janet Brown played the piano for Mr. Edwards' service; life-long friends of Mr. Edwards Judge Kent McDaniel sang beautifully and Justice Jim Kitchens gave a beautiful and honorable eulogy. The Mississippi Highway Patrol and Rankin County Sheriff’s Office honored Mr. Edwards with full honor at his funeral services.
Memorials may be made in his name and honors to the Pelahatchie Baptist Church, Post Office Box 359, Pelahatchie, MS 39145.
We Welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our memory wall at www.wolffuneralservices.com .