Edward James Christmas, Jr. departed this life for his eternal rest on March 13, 2020. He was born May 16,1943, in Louisa, Virginia to Edward James Christmas, Sr. and Cora Louise Quarles Christmas. He was preceded in death by his parents and five of his eight siblings: Jeanette Bishop, Edna Waddy, Rena Johnson Garland, Stewart Christmas, and Jerry Christmas.

He was married to Dorothy Christmas Bishop for 41 years, and from that union they reared seven children: James Christmas (Tracy), Felicia Christmas, Faith Jones (Michael), Fernita Burwell (Robert), Daryl Jones, Brian Jones, and Hosea Jones. He also loved and nurtured strong relationships with Delores's children, Claudette Alomari and Vashon Hubert.

Edward was educated in the Louisa County Public School system. He worked as a carpenter at Gilmore, Hamm, and Snyder Furniture Company in Charlottesville, VA for over 30 years. During his time there, he also learned valuable skills in the construction and decorating trades.

An active member of Evergreen Bibleway Church of Louisa, VA, Edward was appointed to the Diaconate Ministry by the late Pastor Joseph W. Grooms in 1985. Coming up through the ranks of ministry, Edward answered the call to preach the Lord's gospel and became a licensed minister in 1987. Having served faithfully in his ministerial capacity, he was elevated to the office of Elder in the Bibleway Churches Worldwide, Inc. in July 1991. In 1992, he moved his family to Farmville, Virginia to begin a new ministry. With his own two hands, he built the edifice that would become Apostolic Faith Bibleway Church where he pastored for six years.

On December 1, 2018, Edward married Delores Hubert Christmas. Edward often remarked to his family and friends about how thankful he was to have found her. He referred to her as his "angel," and she never failed to say how much she loved him. They shared lots of laughter in their time together.

In addition to his wife and children, Edward leaves to cherish his memory his siblings: Clara Aheart, Robert Christmas (Alice), and Flora Pace (Raymond). Also, he was very close to Joyce Christmas (Arthur), and he cared for her as his sister. Including those he inherited by marriage, he had 19 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren whom he adored and loved to spend time with, and a host of nieces and nephews.

In 2017, Edward joined Union Branch Baptist Church. He sang on the Men's Chorus, preached as he was extended the opportunity and when his health would permit, and he traveled with the ministry until his health declined to the extent he could no longer.

Edward loved to laugh! He also loved to watch reruns of Bonanza, In the Heat of the Night, Family Feud, and any Western that he could find on the television. He enjoyed singing and listening to quartet gospel music. Two of his favorite songs were "When You Hear Of My Homegoing" and "Hold On Just A Little While Longer," and his favorite quartet group was The Sensational Nightingales.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at Galilee Baptist Church 3598 Three Notch Road Kents Store, VA 23084 with his daughter Rev. Faith Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.