Gerald Gelon Edmondson

Gerald Gelon Edmondson, age 84, of Dahlonega, Georgia passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 4, 2021. He was born on August 2, 1937, in Moultrie, Georgia to the late Ottis Edmondson and the late Lillian Bishop Edmondson. Gerald grew up in Warner Robins, Georgia and graduated from Warner Robins High School. On August 23, 1958, he married the love of his life, Mrs. Joanne Holt of Macon, Georgia. Together they shared a journey of love in serving the Lord. 

Mr. Edmondson answered God's call into the ministry as a young man. The first church he pastored was in Macon, where he not only worked as the pastor, but also as an accountant. In 1972, Gerald accepted a call to pastor Zion Baptist Church and Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Suches, Georgia. He was blessed to teach school at Woody Gap in Suches during his time of ministry there. Later, he would serve churches in Gainesville, Dahlonega, Blairsville, and Dawsonville. He also worked as the Senior Auditor for Riches Department Store for several years. While working and rearing a beautiful family, Gerald continued with his education. He graduated from Georgia College at Milledgeville. Some years later, he completed graduate work at Baylor University and also at Southwestern Seminary. In 1987 Rev. Edmondson received a Doctor of Ministry degree from the International Bible Seminary. 

Upon retiring from pastoring, he was called by Lumpkin County to serve as a Magistrate Judge. He was a dedicated Judge for Lumpkin County for nine years. Shortly after that service, he was approached by Zion Baptist Church in Suches to come and preach for one Sunday during a time period that the church was without a pastor. Following his heart and obeying God, he preached that Sunday and continued to pastor at Zion for four years, with that being the last church that he pastored. Due to health issues, Rev. Edmondson had to retire for the final time. He was lovingly named Pastor Emeritus by Zion Baptist Church.

Gerald was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Dr. Joanne Edmondson; daughter and son-in-law, Sheree and Ken Anderson of Cumming; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Rebecca Edmondson of Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Heidi Duncan (Coggin), Wesley Anderson (Malisa), and Andy Edmondson (Suzanne). He was blessed also with five great-grandchildren. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at 1:00 PM at Zion Baptist Church in Suches with Dr. James Sheffield and Rev. Don Trippe officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 PM until the service hour at the church. 

To share a memory or a condolence with the family visit Dr. Edmondson's online guestbook at andersonunderwood.com. 

Anderson-Underwood Funeral Home, 2068 Highway 19 North, Dahlonega, GA 30533