EMPORIA, VA – Mr. James Clifton Edwards, Sr., 93, of Emporia, VA, a World War II U.S. Army veteran, departed this life on Monday, February 17, 2014.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 ½ years, Juanita E. Edwards; his daughter, Phyllis E. Clary; grandson, Bob Wheeler; and other family members.

Survivors include his daughter, Elaine Wheeler and husband, Robert; two sons, Clifton Edwards and friend, Ginger LaCasse, and Glenn Edwards and wife, Fran; two grandchildren, Robert W. Edwards and Melundy Vandiford; and three great-grandchildren, Bridgette Vandiford, Brittany Vandiford and Jonathan Edwards.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, February 20 at Owen Funeral Home, 303 S. Halifax Rd, Jarratt, VA where the funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 21. Interment will follow at GreensvilleMemorialCemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts be made to Boykins United Methodist Church Building Fund HVAC, P.O. Box 246, Boykins, Virginia 23827 or to Adams Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, 24463 Adams Grove Rd, Emporia, Virginia 23847.

Online condolences may be made at www.owenfh.com.