Remembering Joe “Jo-Jo” Edmondson: Family, Fast Cars and a Life Well Lived

By Mike Sparks

MT. JULIET, Tenn. —Family and friends are remembering Joe Kendall Edmondson, affectionately known as “Jo-Jo,” who passed away at home surrounded by his family on August 25, 2026.

Those who knew Jo-Jo knew exactly where he stood. Although Jo-Jo was a quiet man who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, and once he believed in something, he stood by it. But the conviction with which he expressed his views was matched by an even stronger devotion to the people he loved.

Family was at the center of Joe’s life, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him tremendous joy.

Born in Lebanon, Tennessee, to Sara Caroline McPeak Edmondson and Joe R. Edmondson, Joe developed a lifelong love for automobiles and racing. He especially enjoyed working on old cars and racing them, and his enthusiasm extended to just about every kind of motorsports—including NASCAR.

When he wasn’t thinking about cars or racing, Joe could often be found gardening. Vegetable gardening became another favorite pastime, and he took particular pride in growing his tomatoes.

Joe shared 56 years of marriage with his wife, Margaret Sue Edmondson, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Sara and Joe Edmondson, and his sisters, Jerelyn Eady and Robin Edmondson.

He is survived by his children, Laura Bennett; Joe K. “Buster” Edmondson Jr. and wife Tracie; Tina Luffman and husband Michael; and Gina White and husband Neal.

His grandchildren are Brandy Kehl and husband Ron, Darrell Edmondson and wife Kelsi, Jacob White and wife Ronna, Jeremy Smith and wife Shelby, Parker Luffman, David Bennett and wife Tiffany, and Amanda Hendon.

Joe also leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren: Karley, Braylyn, Acelyn, Robert, Elijah, Penelope, Gunner, Laura, Reed, Jade, Ben, Braxton and Korra, along with several beloved nieces and nephews.

Gina Edmondson White one of his daughters said these loving words on Facebook:

A Final Farewell

Funeral services were held Saturday, August 29, at Living Springs Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, with family members Derrick Edwards and Ken Cummings conducting the service. Interment followed at Lannom Cemetery in Mt. Juliet.

Pallbearers were Jeremy, Parker, Jacob, Darrell, David and Shane. Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Campbell, Jerry McPeak, Terry McPeak and Billy Pope.

Joe “Jo-Jo” Edmondson leaves behind more than a collection of memories. His legacy can be found in the family he loved, the generations who called him Dad, Granddad and Great-Granddad, and in the stories that will undoubtedly continue to be told about his strong opinions, old cars, racing days and those tomatoes he was so proud to grow.

For those who knew Jo-Jo, those stories are part of a life that won’t soon be forgotten.

When we experience the profound loss of a father, the world can suddenly feel unfamiliar, heavy, and quiet. In moments like these, Jesus’ words in John 14 offer a unique kind of comfort—not a temporary distraction from grief, but a deep, solid promise that grounds us when everything else feels shaken.

In John 14:2–7, Jesus speaks directly to hearts that are troubled. He speaks of a home—a place with “many rooms”—that He has personally prepared. For a grieving heart, there is a gentle solace in picturing a beloved father being welcomed into an eternal home crafted for him with intention, love, and divine care. It assures us that his journey has not ended in loss, but in arrival.

When Thomas asks the question so many of us feel in the midst of sorrow—“Lord, we know not where thou goest, and how can we know the way?”—Jesus does not offer a map or a complex formula. He offers Himself: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

This truth brings immense hope to a grieving heart:

 He is the Way: You do not have to figure out how to navigate this heavy grief on your own. Christ holds the path forward, bridging the gap between this life and the next.

 He is the Truth: In moments when death feels unfair or overwhelming, His word remains the constant, reassuring truth that love never dies and God’s promises do not fail.

 He is the Life: Death does not have the final say. Because Christ lives, those who rest in Him live also, held securely in the presence of the Father.

To lose a father is to lose a pillar, a voice of guidance, and a source of foundational love. Yet Jesus reminds us, “From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” The love, goodness, and wisdom seen in a father are lasting reflections of the heavenly Father’s heart.

For those who knew Jo-Jo, those stories are part of a life that won’t soon be forgotten.

His legacy lives on through the love, memories, and strength of his family: Laura Bennett; Joe K. “Buster” Edmondson Jr. and wife Tracie; Tina Luffman and husband Michael; and Gina White and husband Neal, as well as the many extended family members and dear friends whose lives he touched. May his memory bring comfort, warmth, and peace to all who were blessed to know him.