James Arthur Edmondson

James Arthur Edmondson, 86, was born August 11, 1934, he entered eternal rest on April 2, 2021. James was born and raised in the historic Promise Land community near Charlotte, Tennessee where he received his early formal education at Promise Land Elementary School (a one-room schoolhouse now on the National Register of Historic Places) and Hampton High School, Dickson, Tennessee. As a young man he moved north and completed his education in Columbus Public Schools along with classes at The Ohio State University. He married his childhood sweetheart, the late Mary (Nesbitt) Edmondson. Together they had four children and shared 45 years of marriage. In Promise Land, James was a member of St. John Methodist Church; James, Mary and children were members of Asbury North United Methodist Church in Columbus.

James was known for being industrious; he often worked two jobs at the same time. Most of his employment was in public service, starting with positions at University Hospital and London Correctional Institute, ultimately retiring from a career with Columbus Recreation & Parks where he was the first African American promoted to Foreman I. His father Theo, grandfather Jim, and several uncles were recognized as “top” carpenters in Dickson County. James followed in their footsteps as an entrepreneur carpenter who was well-known in Columbus & Bexley for his attention to detail and perfection. He was also a real estate investor both in Columbus and in Tennessee. Before the age of 30, he purchased his first family home in Linden. Before the age of 40, he had a custom-built home and multiple investment properties.

James and Mary loved to cruise, travel, and spend time with friends and family. In later years, he especially enjoyed the guitar and playing with Jackson his 3-year-old great-grandson.

James is preceded in death by parents, Lizzie and Theodore Edmondson; wife, Mary Nesbitt Edmondson; infant son (twin to Bruce), Brian Edmondson; daughter, Dr. Ardis Edmondson-Holt; sister, Wilma Edmondson Talley; brothers, Lory and Douglas Edmondson; mother and father-in-law, Gracie and Ernest Nesbitt.

James leaves to cherish his memory, daughter, Cynthia Edmondson; son, Bruce Edmondson; devoted son-in-law, David Holt; devoted special daughter, Kathleen Lewis; grandchildren, Chaniqua Edmondson, Brian (Christina) Holt, and Lauren Holt; great grandson, Jackson Theodore Hopkins; sisters, S. Bernice Heard, Helen Hughes, and Sylvia Edmondson-Holt; brothers-in-law, Bobby Nesbitt and Revered Dr. Sokoto Fulani; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Michael) Winfield and Veronica Nesbitt; long time special friend, Dorothy Ragland and family; the entire Holt family; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, and dear friends.

James’ mother Lizzie was one of the founders of the Promise Land Community Club now known as the Promise Land Heritage Association (PLHA). James donated land, labor, funds and love to the preservation and improvement of this historic site. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Promise Land Heritage Association www.promiselandtn.com

Visitation 10:00am and Funeral 11:00am Saturday, April 17, 2021 at MARLAN GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.

Interment at Green Lawn Cemetery.