October 11, 2024, 81, Goldsboro —
Edmund McLaurin was born on June 20, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the second of eleven children born to the late Herbert and Irene McLaurin.
Edmund peacefully transitioned at home on Friday, October 11, 2024.
At an early age, Edmund gave his life to the LORD and was baptized at St. Joseph Baptist Church, in Philadelphia, PA., under the pastorship of the late Rev. J.B. Boyd.
Edmund, affectionately known as “Jupe” to family and friends, was a 1962 graduate of Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia, PA. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force and attended basic training in Colorado and tech school in Texas.
Edmund was stationed in Panama when met his lovely wife, Norma Butcher. The two were united in holy matrimony on February 15, 1967. They were married for 34 years. From this union, two children were born.
Edmund served in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. During his 21 one years of service, he was also stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Springfield, Massachusetts, Shreveport, Louisiana, Anderson AFB Guam, Panama, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. After 21 years of service to his country, in 1983, Edmund retired as MSGT with a full Honorable Discharge.
Edmund was a loving and protective father, who had a very close relationship with his children. He also was very much loved by his family and was precious to his four siblings as he was the oldest and the last surviving brother out of five. He loved family gatherings and over the years would visit his family, who loved him dearly, in Philadelphia until he was unable to travel.
Edmund was known for being a man of strong faith, integrity, wisdom, kindness and compassion. He also was quite a character who enjoyed pulling pranks on friends and family. He had a great sense of humor and would tell stories that would fill a room with laughter. He loved listening to gospel and country music, (Arron Neville was his favorite artist). Edmund had a great voice and he could be heard at home singing or humming a tune. At times, he would sing a song and leave it on voicemail.
The LORD was good to him and he was content with his life. He loved his children and they honored and lovingly cared for him; he enjoyed his grandchildren, great-grandson, family, friends, and his dogs/cats.
Edmund was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, four brothers, Lindell, Freddy, Paul and Gregory; two sisters, Adrian Matthews-Harden and Jeanette Patricia McLaurin.
Edmund leaves to cherish his memory daughter, Debra, sons, Edmund, Jr., Brian, granddaughters, Jovanca and Aryka, great-grandson, Axel, four sisters, Cheryl Murphy (Clifton), Sarah McLaurin, Joanne Johnson, Karen McLaurin-Jones (Gregory), a special cousin, Roosevelt Johnson, an adopted son, Richard Willis, a close family friend, Clara Artis and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
