Obituary of Francis Joel Edwards

Francis Joel Edwards, 78, of West Columbia, South Carolina, passed away March 17, 2024 at J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home Newberry, South Carolina. He was born on August 22, 1945 in Newberry, South Carolina to Harold and Sarah Edwards.

Joel was a Captain of the 21^st Artillery 3^rd Brigade 1^st Cavalry Division of the US Army  and a veteran of the Vietnam War receiving the:  National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal 1^st award, Vietnam Service Medal, and one oversea service bar.  Upon his return from Vietnam and honorable discharge from the US Army, he became an accomplished residential real estate developer and was a staunch capitalist.  He enjoyed practicing and playing golf.  He loved his dogs.  He had curiosity and enjoyed reading about scientific advances in medicine and the physical sciences, particularly astronomy and chemistry.  His life was tragically altered when he suffered a major stroke at age 49 in 1995 resulting in paralysis of his left leg and arm and in severe damage to his right brain hemisphere.  He persevered, learning how to play golf despite his disability and was able to live unaided alone for nearly 20 years after his wife Dianna tragically pre-deceased him in 2002.  The business he created not only sustained himself and his wife throughout the remainder of their lives but continues to thrive under the stewardship of his son, Chris.

Joel is survived by:

His son, Christopher Scott Edwards of Blythewood, SC, and daughter-in-law Marilyn Fox Edwards.

His sisters, Harriett Edwards Brown and husband Lynn Brown of Florence, SC; and Anita Edwards Koon and husband, Clifford Koon, of Lexington, SC.

His nieces and nephews, Virginia Brown Busniuk and husband Bryson Busniuk, Caroline Brown Genoble and husband Richard Genoble, Bennett Edwards Brown and wife Kyla Brown, Elizabeth Edwards Lewis and Chris Lewis, Ryan Allen Riker and wife Jennifer Riker, Emily Edwards Koon, Justin Taylor Koon, and wife Roslyn Koon.

He was preceded in death by:

Wife, Dianna Lucas Edwards, Brothers Harold Ransom Edwards, Jr., and Robert Stephen Edwards, Sister Sylvia Jean Edwards, and Niece Laura Elizabeth Koon.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Thompson Funeral Home in Lexington, SC. The family will receive friends after the funeral service. Interment will be at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at a later date.