Helen Patricia Edwards James

July 4th at 12:31PM, the Lord reached down and took into his arms Helen Patricia Edwards James. She took her last breath on this earth, and the next in her forever home.

Pat was born to Elizabeth Thompson Edwards and Early Jack Edwards on October 24, 1937 in Jakin, Georgia. She was a farmer's daughter who dug peanuts and picked cotton on their small piece of home nestled in the south Georgia countryside. There, she shared life with her two brothers, Bobby and John and sister Jean. She graduated in 1955 Valdictorian of her class at Jakin High School. Her love for education, theatre and choir were equally matched on the basketball court as a star player.

This is where she met the love of her life on the boys team, Jimmy James. They married in 1955 and brought twin girls, Malinda Faye and Jeannie Kaye, in to the world in 1958. She was a wife, mama, and homemaker for many years until becoming a teacher's aide in the Early County School system for 32 years. Upon her retirement and the death of her husband, she worked for Hallmark Cards in the small towns surrounding her hometown of Blakely, Georgia.

Pat accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of 6 and served Him with all of her being until her last breath. She only ever wanted people to see Jesus when they saw her. Certainly, she has already heard, "Well done, my good and faithful servant". She and Jimmy helped to start the Southside Baptist Church in Blakely, where she taught 5 year olds for 20 years and also adult Sunday School. She was a member of the choir and her beautiful voice could be heard at many weddings and funerals. She moved to Warrensburg, MO to live with her daughter, Faye, and became a member of Bethel Baptist Church. She had a strong belief that Jesus left us His word, the church family, and the Holy Spirit and held these close to her heart.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Jimmy, daughter Kaye, both parents and her siblings.

She is survived by her daughter, Faye Harting (Warrensburg); her precious granddaughters, Amber Patterson (Aaron Brackett) Warrensburg; Maghen Larson and her husband Tony from Troy, MO. The delights of her heart as a great grandma, known as "Badeau" are twins, Piper and Paisley and their brother, Brooks.

Funeral Service in Blakely, GA will be held Friday, July 10, 2026, at 4:00 pm at Manry-Jordan-Hodges Funeral Home, with visitation an hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, Pat wanted donations made to the Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund in Warrensburg, MO.

Her family wants to give a very special thank you to all of the staff of Ridgecrest Nursing Facility for the years they gave her care; and Three Rivers Hospice, who supported and helped her finish her journey on this earth.