John Keith Edwards, 51, of East Flat Rock passed away unexpectedly in his home Thursday, February 2nd, 2023. He was born August 3rd, 1971 to Betty Edwards and the late John M Edwards. He met and married the love of his life of 29 years, Pamela, in 1994. He retired from the NC DOT in 2019, and spent his time loving on his family, living as PawPaw to his beautiful grandbabies, and “loafering around.”
Keith was a Christian man with a true servant’s heart. His love for God was evident in everything he did. He poured out his love for his family in the biggest ways. He set the bar high with his examples of what a husband and father should be. He was notorious for wearing his Christian T-shirts and shorts year round. Yes, even on the coldest day of the year. On the hottest day he would add the DOT orange hat to the combo. You know, to protect his hair that didn’t exist.
Keith was a master chef. He truly mastered these family favorites: no-bake cookies, quesadillas, tater tot casserole, fried apple pies, baked spaghetti, tater candy, milkshakes, honey buns, vacation bacon, “Keith Dip”, pinwheels, and his beloved grilled ham and cheese sandwiches. You could always find him at a good knee-slapping gospel concert or on the hunt for a good bargain. He was a true bargain hunter and enjoyed many days hunting down the next bargain to give as a gift to a family member.
He was a connoisseur of buffets and wouldn’t hesitate to pay for yours even if you weren’t invited. He loved tubing with his family, card game nights , and you had better not take the last Coke out of the fridge without replacing the 12 pack. You know he loved you or enjoyed your company if you were picked on. You were in the clear as long as you didn’t ask him to toss you anything. Only the elite got special names, like “Old Fart,” “Sony Baloney,” “Babe,” “Boy,” “Kidd” and “Ginnie the Pooh,” (Joni and Marge really liked that one.)
Many have reached out and expressed their gratitude with stories such as: he gave me a ride, changed my locks, prayed over me, changed my tire when I had a flat, and made late night plumbing calls. This is the nature of Keith; a selfless giver who served as the hands and feet of Christ. He truly made everyone feel welcome in every circumstance. You never felt like a burden or that he didn’t care about someone that you loved. He worked behind the scenes and will never be fully recognized for all the work he put into the community. There is no one like him.
God blessed him with two grandbabies and they were the joys of his life. Somehow, rules drastically changed as soon as they arrived. You’d find him not only letting them get by with things, but helping them! Of course, he’d have his towel around his neck and a cup of crushed ice while doing so.
Keith was preceded in death by his grandparents Gertrude and Mark Jones, grandparents Eunice and Fred Edwards, father John M Edwards, babygirl Sonya, and loved family members Danny and Barbie.
He is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Pamela Blankenship Edwards, mother Betty Edwards, brother Mark Edwards and his wife Michelle, daughter Christian Munoz and her husband Arely, son Andrew Edwards and his wife McKenzie, grandchildren Judah and RosahLeigh, niece Makayla Nix and her husband Cody, great nephew Jaxx, niece Sylvana Lipe, niece Nikki Edwards, niece Jessica Edwards, nephew Tyler Edwards, sister in law Teena Sims and her husband Marvin, mother in law Clara Blankenship, father in law John Blankenship, most precious friend Gin, and Shannon Perry, who wasn’t invited (but was always welcome).
His Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 11th, 2023 at Mud Creek Baptist Church. Visitation at 11am and the service at 12pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you make donations to First Contact Ministries. Donations can be made “In Memory of Keith” and mailed to 106 Chadwick Avenue Hendersonville, NC 28792 or online at FirstContactWNC.org.
“PAMELA’S PHONE!”
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