Sis. Wanda Lou Edwards Jones

ter Wanda Lou Edwards Jones was born on September 21, 1948. She was the daughter of the late Lou Jesse Edwards and Alene Warfield Edwards. She passed on to her eternal reward and gained her wings on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, after a lengthy illness. Wanda accepted JESUS CHRIST AS HER LORD AND SAVIOR at an early age under the pastorate of Rev. Alonzo Davis and was baptized April 21, 1961, in a nearby pond, becoming a member of Jimtown Missionary Baptist Church. While at Jimtown Baptist, Wanda was known all around for her wide-ranging vocal abilities-going from alto to soprano with no problem and enjoying every second of it because The Holy Spirit was everything in every song. Wanda was educated in the Fayette County School System, attending Russell Cave, the old Frederick Douglass and Bryan Station High Schools. Wanda’s formal work career began at Bluegrass Army Depot-Avon with a formidable force from Jimtown (Shirley and Sylvester Davis, Sarah Edwards, Ruth (Hodge) McDowell, and Mary Warfield). Inspired to widen her interests and broaden her horizons, Wanda became a purchaser for nearly 30 years for the Pharmaceutical Company, Mallinckrodt. She was well known as one of the lead singers of the choir at Jimtown Baptist. Wanda was a faithful choir president for many years and relished her appointment to the esteemed position of Co-Minister of Music at the church. When her health allowed, she would encourage choir members to attend gospel music workshops for additional information and to engage with other singers, no matter the genre; gospel, hymns, classical, spirituals, contemporary; she was brave for it; standing tall, belting it out to the Lord! Under Sister Wanda’s leadership, Jimtown Baptist Church hosted several three-day Gospel Music Workshops which culminated in Sunday concerts for the church and the community. Working for the Lord at Jimtown Baptist Church was a great love for Sister Wanda, no job was too humble or too lofty to promote God’s Kingdom; cooking (cornbread dressing), cleaning, praying, testifying, singing (It’s Real), playing piano, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and studying God’s Word. Sister Wanda was a member of the gospel singing group, The Edwards Sisters, for more than 60 years, singing lead, soprano, alto and sometimes she would even play the piano! Wanda allowed God to use the gifts He gave her for His glory; not only singing and serving, but also acting! Wanda portrayed the famous singer Bessie Smith in the locally produced Gospel Musical, “Mahalia,” in which all of her four sisters also had roles. The Edwards Sisters have performed all over Lexington and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, spreading the Gospel of Jesus through song. They earned many titles and awards, including: Edwards Sisters Day in Lexington, being honored as Kentucky Colonels, featured musical guests at the CBDWA Annual Retreat, Honorees for Service by Dunbar Community Center, Living Legend Award presented by the BMW Academy for Contributing to Our Heritage Through Gospel Music, Coretta Scott King Spirit of Ivy award for Creative & Performing Arts presented by the Beta Gamma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc®. By invitation, Wanda and The Edwards Sisters have performed at many churches, homegoings, halls, studios, recordings, ceremonies, festivals, been opening performers for gospel music greats such as Rev. James Cleveland, The Caravans, Dorothy Norwood as a soloist, Shirley Caesar, Five Blind Boys, Lee Williams, Canton Spirituals and John P. Kee, thank God! Other than her beloved parents, Lou Jesse and Alene, Wanda was preceded in death by two sisters, Delores C. Edwards and Anna Sue Edwards Murrell; two brothers, Michael L. and Bert W. Edwards; grandparents, William M. & Martha R. Warfield and John Henry & Mary Lou Watts Edwards; and bonus grandmother, Susie Stewart B. Edwards. Wanda leaves to cherish her memory, two daughters, Stephanie C. Washington, and Ann Catherine Jones; one bonus son, Ronald L. Jones, Jr.; three grandsons, Caylin Patterson, Keith Denton, Jr. and Alex Patterson; one granddaughter, Kayla D. Denton; three great-grandchildren, Hendrix Patterson, Klae Denton and baby girl Kior Denton; two brothers, Joseph (Tonya) Edwards (Columbus, OH) and Walter (Jo Carolyn); two sisters, Bertha M. E. (Joe Stewart) and Gloria J. E. (Rev. Samuel Tompkins); three uncles, Bert Warfield, Bush (Geri) Warfield (Atlanta, GA), and Luke Moore; three aunts, Gladys Lewis, Corinne Warfield, Gladys Warfield (widow of Charles Warfield, Aiken, SC). Wanda is survived by hundreds of nieces, nephews, cousins and perhaps thousands of church family and friends, work family, musicians and clergy associates.

Sis. Wanda Lou Edwards Jones

September 21, 1948 - July 12, 2023

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Sis. Wanda Lou Edwards Jones

September 21, 1948 - July 12, 2023

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information