He was active in his community. He was a member of the Prince Hall Masons. He also nurtured and mentored many young men in the community from their childhood to adulthood, providing guidance and understanding to them. He was an outstanding husband and father, and a great provider for his family.

He leaves to cherish his memory, three sons, James N. Edmonds (Jamie) of Norfolk, Virginia, Reuben L. Edmond (Peggy) of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Umprey Tillery (Doris) of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina; three daughters, Dorothy L. Smith of Waukegan, Illinois, Estelle E. Bussey of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Shirley M. Stewart of Atlanta, Georgia; three brothers Patrick Henry Edmond (Ruth) of Norfolk, Virginia, Lendberg Edmond and Perry Edmond (Estella) both of Tillery, North Carolina; two sisters, Adell Davis of Tillery, North Carolina and Cora Edmond Bridgers of Virginia Beach, Virginia; 28 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren; one honorary granddaughter, Carla Howard; many nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.