Bishop Joseph Edmonson, 85

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Bishop Joseph Edmonson, 85, died Saturday, July 10, 2010.

His life began in St. Louis, MO. He was born on January 17, 1925, to John and Cora Edmonson. He was one of ten children to this union. His nine siblings all preceded him in death. He was educated in the St. Louis public school system.

He was united in Holy Matrimony to Charlene Crawford in 1953. To this union six children were born.

Bishop Joseph Edmonson received Jesus Christ at the age of 17. He was a member of Kennedy Temple C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of pastor Frank H. Hayden. He came to the Sparta community October 13, 1954 and founded the Sparta C.O.G.I.C. Jesus all Nations. He began his ministry visiting the sick, shut-in, hospitals, nursing homes, going house to house witnessing in the communities of Sparta, Coulterville, DuQuoin, Carbondale, and Murphysboro. He was a prayer warrior until the Lord called him home.

Bishop Joseph Edmonson leaves to cherish his memories a devoted wife of 57 years, Charlene Crawford-Edmonson; daughter, Emily B. Edmonson; son, Joseph Edmonson, Jr. (Nikea) all of Sparta, IL; daughter, Gina Maria Edmonson (Loni) Paducah, KY; daughter, Carla DeAnn Edmonson Griffith (Orale) Belgium, Europe; son, Markki Larez Edmonson (Kimeve) Oxnard, CA; daughter, Chandra Atrice Edmonson Sims (Joel) Nashville, IL; and nineteen grandchildren.

The Bishop's large circle of spiritual children also celebrate his life; each will miss his loving spirit and his concern of their eternal life. He was a spiritual father to many. Nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his church family will remember him with love.

His precious memories will comfort us as we grieve his passing and sustain us as we trust God for grace to move forward in his absence. The day will come when, instead of grieving because he is gone, we will smile because he was here.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 12 noon at the Church of God in Christ Jesus all Nations with Pastor Joseph Edmonson Jr. officiating. Burial will be in the Caledonia Cemetery in Sparta, IL. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until the hour of service at the church.

Memorials may be given to the church building fund.

The McDaniel Funeral Home, Sparta, IL, was in charge of the arrangements.