Book of Memories for Kilby Joe Edwards Sr.

Condolence From Hank Stupi

Mon, 05 Jun 2017 02:50:50 EDT

Joe has been my neighbor for almost 21 years now. Many, many fond memories... especially of our time working together cutting and splitting big trees (some huge) for firewood for our wood-burning stoves. A lot of sweat and always some laughs. Lots of great Oyster Festival parties over the years as well! I will never forget when I was in the hospital for about 2 weeks about 10 years ago and came home and, to my great surprise and joy, discovered that Joe, Dot and my wife, Nancy, had done some floor joist repairs and had finished the sub-floor in a bathroom whose renovation I had been badly procrastinating. Joe always played it up as a small thing, but it was huge for me. With that, the hardest work, behind, I was able to get going and finish up that renovation. Without Joe's help I might still be looking at the crawlspace through the floor joists in that bathroom floor. Thanks for being a good friend, Joe. I'll miss you.

Condolence From Bryan, Missy, Helena & Addi Beamon

Wed, 31 May 2017 09:03:03 EDT

We are so sorry for your loss. Beth, for you and your brother to have lost your dad and for your mom, her husband. Y'all are in our prayers always. May he rest in peace and God protect y'all and give you strength.

Story shared: Our Time on the Rappahannock with Joe

Sat, 27 May 2017 16:19:59 EDT

From the late 1960s through the early 1980s, our family frequently visited Joe, Dot, Beth, and Jody at their home in Locust Hill, VA off the Rappahannock River, or they visited us at our house in Forestville, MD.

The visits were always tremendous fun, and our families got along well together. Evenings often ended with eating a bushel of crabs. In the early-mid 1970s, Joe, my Dad, and I would frequently go out on his boat and spend hours fishing on the Rappahannock River and Chesapeake Bay. Both bodies of water were very healthy at the time, and we would often return from a fishing trip with what seemed like hundreds of fish including spot, bluefish, rockfish, and croakers. He taught me much of what I know about fishing, gutting and cleaning fish, and storing them in his freezer for future eating.

One trip in 1976 stands out in my mind. I think that Joe had something like a 22-25 foot Chris Craft runabout. We were out in the Chesapeake Bay. I was using really heavy tackle – a heavy trolling rod and heavy-duty saltwater trolling reel. I hooked something, and it took me 15-20 minutes to bring it up. Joe and my Dad thought I had hooked a tire, given how much my rod was bending. When it finally came to the surface, it turned out to be a very large ray, between 5-7 feet from wingtip to wingtip. We brought it alongside the boat, and the ray was not happy, slapping the side of our boat with its massive wing, causing the boat to rock back and forth. Joe and my dad were trying to talk me into cutting the line. Since I was only 13, I was jazzed about catching something so large, and the idea that bringing it into the boat would be a problem simply didn’t occur to me. My dad tried to reach down with a net, but the ray was far too massive. Joe tried to reach down and hook it with a boat hook, but then the ray reversed itself and started slapping at Joe with its barbed tail. Thankfully, it didn’t hit him. Just about that point, the ray snapped the line and swam away. While I was disappointed, I know Joe and my dad were thankful we didn’t get it aboard. Looking back on it, I’m not sure what we would have done with the ray if we had brought it back to the dock. I wouldn’t have had any idea how to fillet it, let alone eat it.

Bottom line, Joe was an outstanding host, fisherman, and waterman. He was an even better family man, and was always wonderful to my family and I. When my father passed away unexpectedly in 2000, Joe came to help me out with the funeral preparations and to help me deal with my loss.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dot, Beth, and Jody as they cope with the loss of Joe. Thankfully, he is now free from the pain that he has been battling for far too long. He is now with God and with Jesus. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family in this time of loss.

Photo shared: edwards_family.jpg

Sat, 27 May 2017 15:46:52 EDT

Beautiful Family Photo

Memorial Candle lit by Rik & Deborah Sneeuwjagt

Sat, 27 May 2017 15:42:45 EDT

Rik & Deborah Sneeuwjagt

Photo shared: Kilby Joe Edwards_NEW.jpg

Fri, 26 May 2017 01:13:48 EDT

Memorial Candle lit by Tim & Becky Salyers

Thu, 25 May 2017 19:32:03 EDT

Tim & Becky Salyers

Memorial Candle lit by Melissa, Gregory & Graham Goodwin

Thu, 25 May 2017 19:20:50 EDT

Melissa, Gregory & Graham Goodwin

Condolence From Tiana Vazquez

Thu, 25 May 2017 16:41:27 EDT

Praying for your family and hoping that God provides the comfort needed.

Condolence From Phyllis & Gary Bartley

Thu, 25 May 2017 11:59:58 EDT

Our hearts and prayers are with the family in this time of sorrow. Joe was not only a loved cousin but a special friend. He will be greatly missed. A special prayer and peace to all the family we love you all.

Condolence From Suzie Alls

Thu, 25 May 2017 09:44:36 EDT

Dot...so sorry about Joe. The folks here at Wingate thought the world of both you and Joe. Please know that you are in our prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.

Memorial Candle lit by Perry & Audrey Ramey

Wed, 24 May 2017 21:53:00 EDT

Perry & Audrey Ramey

Memorial Candle lit by Rocky&Rita Oquinn

Wed, 24 May 2017 21:45:42 EDT

Rocky&Rita Oquinn

Condolence From Linda Edwards Guerin

Wed, 24 May 2017 17:15:20 EDT

I am at a loss for words during this sorrowful time. Please know that I am thinking of you and the family and praying for peace and comfort as you go this sad time... I have such good memories of Joe growing up and I pray that the memories you all have of him will give you peace in knowing he will always be with you in spirit.

Memorial Candle lit by Johnny & Carolyn Turner

Wed, 24 May 2017 14:59:38 EDT

Johnny & Carolyn Turner