Joseph Franklin Edge

Joseph Franklin Edge, 95, of Philpot, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born on December 10, 1929, in Knottsville, Joe was the eldest of nine children. When his father went blind during the Great Depression, Joe set aside his schooling after the sixth grade to help support his family-an early act of selflessness and responsibility that would come to define his life.
He married the love of his life, the late Effie S. Preston Edge, and together they endured life's hardships and losses while raising their children and building a family grounded in faith, perseverance, and love.
Joe worked for 30 years at Green River Steel before devoting himself to farming, sawing, and timber work, which he continued for another 25 years. His greatest vocation, however, was family. He loved his family-especially the little ones. He lit up around the babies; they turned the ever-busy and industrious man into a smiling, laughing, cuddling, teasing, candy-distributing joy. He stood as a steadfast presence across the generations; for some, he was the happy old man always with candy in his pocket or the teasing threat of "I'll hit back" if messed with. For others, he was the ever-willing gator or tractor ride, or even the source of employment when times were lean and jobs were scarce. He taught grandchildren how to drive, the value of hard work, the duty to put others before themselves, and the necessity to anchor their lives in faith. And for at least one, he was more than a grandfather; he was his inspiration, his mentor, his confirmation sponsor, his best man, a living example of integrity and devotion, of goodness and honor. He stood with him as his great-grandchildren were baptized. And he will be missed dearly.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Effie, cherished daughter Brenda Sue Hagan; sister, Margaret (the late Cliff) Mills, and younger brothers James and Robert Edge. Left to cherish his memory are his sons Ronald (Mary) Edge and Donald (Brenda Louise) Edge; his son-in-law Paul Hagan, his sisters Anna Louise (Bob) Turner, Patsy (the late Tommy) Bennett, Joyce (Tony) Mills, Mary Catherine (Buck) Isbill, and Dottie (the late Carl) Payne; sisterinlaw, Lillian Edge; his life companion in later years Mary Sue Wheatley; 14 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
A very special gratitude is extended to his eldest great-grandson, Joey Murphy, who, alongside his son James, lovingly cared for Joe in his final years.
Joe lived the cardinal virtues rather than merely reciting them. He will be remembered as a man of quiet strength, faith, and sacrifice- a patriarch whose example endures in every life he touched. Rest easy, Papaw Joe, your work on earth is done.
A celebration of Joe's life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. William Catholic Church in Philpot, KY, with burial to follow at St. William cemetery. Visitation will be at Cecil Funeral Home in Whitesville, KY, on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the rosary at 5:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heartford House of Owensboro, Kentucky.