Joseph McKinley Edwards Jr. was born on September 25, 1946, in Crosby, Texas to the loving parents of Joseph McKinley Edwards Sr., and Inez "Arnecia" Mary Edwards. The youngest child of eight, Joseph graduated from Charles R. Drew High School and attended Prairie View A&M
University, before later joining the United States Army. In 1972, he was honorably discharged from the Army with a Medal of Good Conduct, a National Defense Service Medal, and an Expert Rifleman Medal. He retired from Upjohn/Dow Chemical Plant in LaPorte, Texas after 25 years
of service.

In 1968, Joseph's first son Joseph Brockett Murray was born. He married once in his lifetime to Verna Dean Bell of McNair, Texas in 1969. Through this union he was blessed to have two more children, Joseph McKinley Edwards III and Cassandra Antonette Jenkins.

Joseph was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Baytown, Texas. He loved his family
deeply, including his extended family, leaving a lasting impression on all as a fun-loving, all around happy guy. Joseph loved going to church, sports, and fishing. He also enjoyed cooking and he loved a good zydeco. Joseph affectionately known as Jr., lived a life of love and laughter.He was truly a lesson and a blessing to all that he encountered.

After 75 years of life, on Thursday morning, May 12th, 2022, while at Sylvan Shores Health and
Wellness Center, God called him home to rest.

He is preceded in death by his loving parents, brother (Palmeras Edwards), nephews (Phillip Fretty Jr., Dalton St. Julian, Christopher St. Julian), great nephew (George Guidry), and great niece (Reyana St. Julian). To cherish his memory, he leaves his children, Cassandra Jenkins (Melvin), Joseph Edwards III (Tomecha), and Joseph Murray (Lisa), his grand-children Landon, Arissa, Isis, I'slyn, Isaiah, Tyree, Gloria, and Edwin, his brothers Embrick Edwards (Nola - deceased) and Adrian Boutte, his sisters Leona Fretty (Phillip Fretty Sr. - deceased), Betty Donato (Verne), Anita St. Julian (Ernest), Regina St. Julian (Robert), and Geraldine St. Julian, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.