James B. Edwards Sr., 69, was called Home by his Lord and Savior, on June 7, 2021. He was born in Isola, Mississippi on May 14, 1952, the son of the late Floyd and Juanita (nee: Brown) Edwards. The family later moved to Chicago where he attended Lewis-Champlin Elementary School and graduated from Englewood High School in June, 1967. The family moved to Zion, Illinois, in 1969. He worked in construction until opening his own retail upholstery shop.

James had been employed by Bob's Upholstery Shop, in Cudahy until his retirement. On July 22, 1995, in Zion, Illinois he was united in marriage to Sheila Ann Wright. He enjoyed fishing and doing anything where he could work with his hands. He loved listening to Jazz, Blues, and Oldies.

Surviving are his loving wife, Sheila; his children, James Edwards Jr., Carla Hughes, both Chicago, IL, Jamie Edwards, of Zion, IL, Contrell Edwards, of Pleasant Prairie, WI, and Juanita (JeVon) Shealey, of Jacksonville, FL; Sheila's children, Damone Wright, Dontae Wright, Deshawn (Michelle) Wright, all of Racine, and Shyla (Simone) Cabell, of Greenville, NC; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, three brothers and eight sisters, Billy Watson, of Rockford, IL, Walker (Paula) Watson, of Milwaukee, Benita Bowers, of Racine; Lisa Bowers, Nellie (Marcus) Gardner, all of Zion, IL, Tyrone Watson, also in IL, Carol Newell, Jeanette Stephen, both of Thornton. IL, Renee (Warren) Richards,  of Flossmoor, IL, Yvonne Rogers, of Country Club Hills, IL, and Maxine Watson, of Racine. Numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends also survive him. In addition to his parents, James was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Stylon Bowers; two brothers, Howard Bowers and Roger Watson, and his niece, Latoya Watson.

Service Details

His Homegoing Service will be celebrated in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Saturday, June 19 ^th at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Joe Pipes officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Zion, Illinois.

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