Jesse Edwards

Jesse Floyd Edwards died October 24, 2021, at a local nursing facility.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 26th, at Blair Stubbs Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday the 27th of October at Blair Stubbs in Mexia at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in the Mexia Cemetery.

Jesse was born in Abner, Texas on March 25, 1933 to Gladys and Oville Edwards. He grew up in Kaufman, Texas, and graduated from High School at age 16. He was a veteran of the US Army, proudly serving his country during the Korean War. He married Shirley Allgood in 1956. The union produced two children, Mark Alan Edwards and Tobi Ann Edwards. Shirley and Jesse moved to Mexia in 1964, where he was a member of First Baptist Church and where he served as the manager of K. Woolens Department Store for many years. Then, he purchased Sinclair’s Shoe Store in Mexia in 1973. Afterward, he owned J’s Factory Outlet in Mexia. Jesse and Shirley later moved to Fargo, North Dakota, where he worked for Maintenance Engineering. Upon Shirley’s death in 1998, Jesse returned to Mexia. He married Gerry Turnham in 2000.

Jesse was known for his remarkable sales leadership, receiving multiple awards for his sales acumen. He was an active member of the Mexia Jaycees and Mexia Businessmen’s Association. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing, square dancing, dominoes, and being with family and friends.  His family noted that he would quietly do things for people without expecting anything in return. He was a remarkable man.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley; his sister, Linda Sue Mitchell; and step-son, Frank Turnham. He is survived by his wife, Gerry, his children Mark (Ginger) Edwards, Tobi Edwards, Roger (Mary) Turnham, and Stephanie Turnham; his grandchildren Dylan Reece (Jennifer Newhouse), Beckon Elizabeth Newhouse (Brian Little), Megan Murphy and Myles McKinney; his great-grandchildren Mikayla Elizabeth Hynes, Braxton Scott Little, Eleanor Rose Newhouse, and Brenton Murphy; and brother, Jackie Edwards and wife, Ann of Duncanville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Baptist Church in Mexia or the charity of one’s choice.