Bishop John C. Edwards was born on April 3, 1946, in Columbus, MS to the late Joe and Odesta Sims Edwards. In his early years, Bishop Edwards was a member of Canaan M. B. Church under the leadership of the late Rev. J.L. Nichols. He was a 1964 graduate of R.E. Hunt High School. Bishop John C. Edwards was licensed and ordained into the Ministry in 1972. He was a graduate of the Mississippi Baptist Seminary in 1977. Bishop Edwards has been in the ministry for 46 years including 30 years as a Pastor. He was the former Pastor of First United M.B. Church (Columbus, MS), Founder and Pastor of Latter Rain Tabernacle Church (Columbus, MS). He was the present Pastor of New Zion M.B. Church (Steens, MS) for 15 years. His ministry traveled across the nation teaching and preaching in 16 different states and receiving many certificates and awards. He was united in holy matrimony to Miss Lottie M. Ellis. To this union, 6 children were born. Bishop John C. Edwards passed away on Friday, February 7, 2014, at Baptist Memorial Hospital GT, in Columbus, MS. He was preceded in death by his parents: Joe, Sr. and Odesta Edwards; his siblings: Joseph Edwards, Annie Pearl Molett, and Joe Edwards, Jr. He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving wife: Lottie M. Edwards of Columbus, MS; his children: Kwanis (Charles) Scott of Salina, Kansas, John Edwards, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, Kendrall (Jessie) Lee of Osaka, Japan, Rudesta, Carolyn (Greg) Ugiomah of Wichita, Kansas, Melody Aberi of Wichita, Kansas and Alana Edwards of Newton, Kansas; 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be Friday, February 14, 2014, from 3-8 p.m. with an Evening of Worship from 6-7:30 p.m. at New Zion M.B. Church in Steens, MS. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 15, 2014, at 12 Noon at the James M. Trotter Convention Center. The Rev. David J. Johnson will be the officiating minister. Burial will follow in the Sandfield Cemetery. The funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Carter's Funeral Services. Pallbearers will be George Irby, Jr., Robert L. Gardner, Rev. Tommy Prude, Bennie Aaron, Willie M. Gray, and Arthur Turner.