John “Gene” Edwards, 81, of Franklin died Saturday, May 27, 2023 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
Born on May 24, 1942, he was the son of the late John C. and Lena (Day) Edwards.
Gene married the love of his life Florence L. (Milkens) Edwards on February 29, 1964, and was proud father of a son John Charles Edwards of Franklin and his daughters, Linda (Daniel) Ebbeling of Franklin and Roberta Edwards (MacDuncan Foster) of Tewksbury.
Last but not least, he was the ultra-proud grandfather of Dora Ebbeling and was often seen in the audience of her many performances through The Franklin School of the Performing Arts.
After graduating from Unicoi County High School, Gene served in the Navy until 1965.
He was employed in computer operations and facility management at Interactive Data Corporation from 1969 until his retirement in 2012.
Besides his wife, children and granddaughter, he is survived by his brothers, Kenneth Edwards, Terry Edwards, Gary (Deidra) Edwards, Charlie (Sherre) Edwards and brother in law Tony Slemmons, all of Erwin, TN; sisters, Loretta (Roger) Higgins of Soddy Daisy, TN and Martha (Dennis) Peters, of Erwin, TN; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lisa Jill Slemmons, brother-in-law, Talmage Higgins, sisters-in-law, JoAnn Edwards, Leona Edwards, Gail Smith and nephew Terry Lee Edwards.
The family would like to thank Dr. Steve Kanner, MD and Dr. William Curry, MD for their many years of caring for his health and the nurses in the Trauma SICU and Neuro SICU at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, for their care and compassion towards the end of his life.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Monday, June 5 from 4 - 6 p.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, 131 Main Street (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) followed by a funeral service at 6 p.m. in the funeral home. Burial and additional services will take place at a later date in Erwin, TN.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations of gift cards to help support his wife and disabled son. Alternately you can make a donation to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in his name.