Edmondson, James
1934 - 2021
James Arthur Edmondson, age 86 was born August 11, 1934, and entered into eternal rest on April 2, 2021. James grew up in the historic Promise Land community near Charlotte, Tennessee where he received his early formal education at Promise Land elementary school (a one-room schoolhouse now on the National Register of Historic Places) and Hampton High School in Dickson County. As a young man, he moved north and completed his education in Columbus Public Schools along with classes at The Ohio State University. He married his childhood sweetheart the late Mary (Nesbitt) Edmondson and would become the father of their four children. In Promise Land, he was a member of St. John Methodist Church; in Columbus, James, Mary & the children were members of Asbury North United Methodist Church. James was known for being industrious; he often worked two jobs at the same time. Most of his employment was in public service, starting with positions at University Hospital, London Correctional Facility, and ultimately retiring from a career with Columbus Recreation & Parks where he
was the first African-american promoted to Foreman I. His father Theo, grandfather Jim & several uncles were “top” carpenters in Dickson County; James followed in their footsteps as an entrepreneur carpenter. He was well-known in Columbus & Bexley for his attention to detail and perfection. He was also a real estate investor both in Columbus and in Tennessee. Before the age of
30, he purchased his first family home in Linden, and before the age of 40, he had a custom-built home and multiple investment properties. James & Mary loved to cruise, travel and spend time with friends & family. In his later years, he especially enjoyed his guitar and playing with his 3-year old great-grandson Jackson. He is preceded in death by parents Lizzie and Theodore Edmondson, sister Wilma Edmondson Talley, brothers Douglas and Lory Edmondson, wife Mary Nesbitt Edmondson, infant son (twin to Bruce) Brian Edmondson, daughter Dr. Ardis Edmondson-holt, mother & father-in-law Gracie & Ernest Nesbitt. He leaves to cherish his memory, daughter Cynthia Edmondson, son Bruce Edmondson, devoted son-in-law David Holt, and devoted special daughter Kathleen Lewis; grandchildren Chaniqua Edmondson, Brian (Christina) Holt, and Lauren Holt; great-grandson Jackson Theodore Hopkins; sisters S. Bernice Heard, Helen Hughes and Sylvia Edmondson-holt, sisters-in-law Nancy (Michael)
Winfield and Veronica
Nesbitt; brothers-in-law Bobby Nesbitt and Dr. Sokoto Fulani; long time special friend Dorothy Ragland & family; the entire Holt family; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and dear friends. James’ mother Lizzie was one of the founders of the Promise Land community club now known as the Promise Land Heritage Association. James donated land, labor, funds, and love to the preservation and improvement of this historic site. In recognition the James & Mary Edmondson Park was named in their
honor. In lieu of flowers,
donations are welcome to be made to the Promise Land Heritage Association. www.promiselandtn.com
Visitation 10:00am and Funeral 11:00am Saturday,
April 17, 2021 at MARLAN GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave (one block east of Noe Bixby, turn North on Lonsdale Rd.) Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery. To view the service and video tribute, read the complete obituary, and offer condolences to The EDMONDSON Family, visit www.thechapelofpeace. com