Rev. James Ivey Edwards

Services were held for Rev. James Ivey Edwards on Saturday, March 3, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon with Rev. Jay Gage of Midland officiating.

James was born on November 17, 1943, in Bainbridge, Georgia, to James Bruce Edwards  and Von Biggs Edwards. He was raised in Amarillo and graduated from Amarillo High School. He attended college at West Texas State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Perkins School of Theology at SMU in Dallas.  He married Donna Gentry in 1965 in Amarillo. James was a professional artist specializing in Western and wildlife landscapes and bronze sculpture and later taught Art at Clarendon College before entering full-time ministry in the Methodist church in 1990. He has recently served on the board of Habitat for Humanity, and has been involved in Boy Scouts and Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization in Artesia, New Mexico.

James was in active ministry at the time of his death at the First United Methodist Church of Artesia, New Mexico. He served faithfully and lovingly in ministry for the Lord in the Methodist church for 22 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a newborn son, and a 17 year old son, Scott, and a brother, Ronald Perry Edwards.

His survived his wife, Donna, of 46 years; two daughters, Andrea and husband Larry Hayward of Weatherford, Texas, and Kelly and husband Corey O’Brien of Dallas; five grandchildren Jordan and Adalyn of Weatherford, and Caden, Conner, and Kenna O’Brien of Dallas; a brother John and wife Donna of Colleyville; and an aunt, Fran Biggs of Stanton; Martha Gentry of Amarillo; and several nieces and nephews and other dear family members.

The family requests memorials be made to First United Methodist Church of Artesia, New Mexico, or First United Methodist Church of Clarendon.

Donna can be reached at 4104 Kentshire Ln., Dallas, TX 75287.