Joseph A. Edwards, Father of Three Pastors

 

Joseph & Setriequilla Edwards* 

On May 10, 1885, Joseph Augustus Edwards was born to John Scott Edwards and Joanna Edwards, nee Williams, at Grantham, near Frankfield in Clarendon, Jamaica. He was the youngest of his parents’ children.

He entered Calabar College when the institution was under the leadership of President Arthur James and completed his studies during the incumbency of President Ernest Price.

His first ministry assignment was in the Yallahs circuit, where he spent four years. After that, he moved to Ulster Spring where he served for the remaining years of his ministry.

On April 28, 1915, Edwards was united in marriage to Sytrequilla Barzilla Grant, who was born in Annotto Bay, St Mary, and attended Westwood High school. The union produced nine children, Arnold, Clarence, Vivia, Joanna, William, Joseph, Gladys, Flora and Joy. Arnold became an engineer, Vivia a musician, and Clarence, Joseph and William became ministers of religion.

In Ulster Spring, Edwards was a devoted pastor and a tower of strength to the entire community. His wife, a respected musician, was pianist, organist and chorister and she played a vital role in the music ministry of the churches served by her husband. She produced concerts wherever her husband served. Later in life, she was organist at Christ Church, Jones Town, which was under the leadership of Menzie Sawyers. Mrs. Edwards was regarded as an excellent baker and seamstress as well as a fine homemaker.

Highly involved in community life, Edwards was elected president of Ulster Spring branch the Jamaica Agricultural Society and served as such from 1928 – 1937. He was also president of the Ulster Spring Literary and Social Club.

According to Rev. W. D. Brown of Salters Hill, writing in the Jamaica Baptist Reporter, Edwards “believed in the dignity of manual labour and self-help.” Brown described him as “a cool, thoughtful, systematic and edifying preacher.”

A committed Baptist, Edwards enjoyed excellent relationships ecumenically. He was elected to serve as JBU chairman for 1939-1990.

Edwards passed away in July 1949 after a brief illness at the Spalding Hospital. His funeral took place in the Ulster Spring Baptist Church on July 18, and among those participating in the service were Rev. A E. Brown, JBU Chairman, and Revds. R. A. L. Knight, M E. W. Sawyers, Ivan Parsons, Fergus Lewis and J. M. Bee of the Baptist denomination; Rev. S. D. Sanguinetti and Rev. Mr. Rowe of the Anglican Church; Brothers Hughes and Webley of the Congregational Church and Rev. E. A. Edwards of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The wife of the deceased presided at the organ.

Mrs. Sytrie Edwards and her nine children survived her husband. She relocated to Maxfield Avenue, Kingston where she passed away on January 1, 1952. Her funeral service was at the Jones Town Baptist Church and was followed by her interment in the May Pen cemetery.

A faithful servant of God and father of three ministers had completed his earthly course and three years later, his wife followed him.

* Courtesy of William Edwards, Life: What a Journey (Kingston: CCP, 2011).