Sterling Cecil Edwards Jr.

WEST POINT - Sterling Cecil (Keenie) Edwards Jr., born Jan. 19,1922, died peacefully on Nov. 17, at the Riverside Nursing Home in West Point, Va.
Keenie was the oldest son of the late Sterling Sr. and Florence Wynn Edwards. He was preceded in death by his sister, Norma Jane and her husband, Charles Lee Jackson Sr.; his brother, Walter Gray Edwards and sister-in-law, Frances Holmes Edwards.
Keenie received his early education from the West Point Colored School and served proudly in the Army where he was deployed to Germany in the World War II and was honorably discharged.
He joined Mt. Nebo Baptist Church at an early age and blended his baritone voice with the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church Men's Glee Club under the direction of his mother, Mrs. Florence Edwards, and also sang with the Gospel Chorus and the Mass Choir. Under the leadership of the Rev. Steven Banks, he was ordained as a Deacon and served faithfully until his health failed.
Sterling worked faithfully for Chesapeake Corporation (Pulp Mill) and retired after 44 years. Not wanting to be idle, he took the job as driver for Sears and before his illness he worked as Courier for the Citizens and Farmers Bank.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Madeline; one daughter, Hattie Rowe; one granddaughter, Phyllis Gresham (Leon) and one grandson, Kevin Rowe (Jennifer). He also leaves three great-grandchildren, Tatiana Gresham, Darius Rowe and Brittany Shields. He also leaves his baby sister, Frances Jordan (James) of West Point. Keenie was the much loved uncle to Ruth 'Cookie' McNeely (Gerald), Charles 'Peter' L. Jackson Jr. (Gerry), Kenneth 'Mike' Jackson, Loretta Jackson, Diane Murray (Willie), Arlette King (Carroll) and Regena Jones (Franklin); and a host of great-nieces and nephews, cousins and devoted friends. Keenie was loved by all.
While there are endless words that could describe his life, all will remember that robust voice, his accomplishments and what he meant to so many-his daily life was his testimony. He will long be remembered as a respected and cherished leader of his family, his church and his community.
As a member of the West Point community, Sterling was viewed as gentile and kind to everyone he encountered. He would often travel with his friends to major league baseball games, in Baltimore and Philadelphia, on a whim just to enjoy the spirit of rooting for his favorite teams.
He was a very strong man with good Christian character, derived from the values instilled by his Christian life in West Point. He now completes his journey to a better place...to commune with his heavenly family. May God bless him.
The funeral service will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at the Mount Neo Baptist Church, West Point. Interment in the Union Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery, Cologne. The viewing will be 1 to 5 p.m. Friday at the J.K. Redmond Funeral Home and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the church. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.