Jasper Franklin Edwards, Jr (Juju) entered life eternal peacefully on September 29th at the age of 89. He was born September 10, 1928 in Clyo, Georgia. His family moved to Savannah where he attended Chatham Jr. High School and Henry Street School. As a teenager he moved to Springfield where he attended Effingham Academy. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy. During his enlistment he had the privilege of accompanying Admiral Richard Byrd on Operation High Jump. They were commissioned to travel to the South Pole where they drew extensive maps and took photos of the unchartered land. It was on this journey that The Edwards Cove at the Ross Ice Shelf was named for him. This expedition was written about in many newspapers, magazines and books. Most recently Edwards' adventure was featured in the Effingham Magazine.
In 1949 Jasper married Jaunita Carr and remained married to her until her death in 2016. He worked for J.C. Lewis Ford for a while then worked at the Savannah Sugar Refinery until he retired at the age of 65. He coached Little League Baseball for many years. Edwards also played baseball in an adult league in Pineora, Georgia. He was an avid golfer and loved working in his yard.
Edwards was preceded in death by his brother Charles who drowned while away at summer camp. He remained close to his sister, Frances Bragg, until her death. His beloved parents were Jasper Franklin Edwards Sr. and Walton Seckinger Edwards.
Edwards was greatly saddened by the deaths of his son, Del Obery Edwards, and his precious granddaughter, Katie Seckinger. He is survived by his daughter Karen Edwards Seckinger, his much loved grandchildren Paul, Justin, and Teil Seckinger, and the most recent light of his life, his great-granddaughter, Morgan Renee Seckinger. He was also happily anticipating the birth of a new great-grandson in February. Edwards is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, an uncle and friends.
Remembrances may be sent to the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation, 3616 J. Dewey Circle, Building C, Augusta GA 30909 or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 353, Springfield, GA, 31329.
The family will receive visitors at Thomas C. Strickland Funeral Home, Springfield on Sunday, October 1st from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
His celebration of life will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday, October, 1st at 4PM.
Interment will follow in Springfield Cemetery Annex.
Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 754-6421