Joe Harle Edwards

Joe Harle Edwards, of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away on October 12, 2026, at the age of 82.

Born on December 21, 1943, to Ione Copeland Edwards and Lee Harle Edwards, Joe grew up in beautiful Sylco Mountains. It was there that his lifelong love of the outdoors took root. He learned to hunt as a boy, and that pastime grew into a true passion, carrying him to deer camps across Tennessee and on memorable hunting trips to Colorado and throughout the West.

Joe graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 1966 with a degree in Civil Engineering and went on to a distinguished career in the profession he loved. After beginning his career with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, he served the City of Cleveland for over 25 years, including many years as City Engineer. A licensed Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor, Joe took great pride in helping shape the community where he lived and worked. He served on the board of the Hiwassee Utilities Commission for 48 years, including consecutive terms as chairman. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to a successful side career in real estate, where he developed apartments throughout the area.

In his younger years, Joe had a passion for fast cars, Corvettes, and drag racing. He loved playing cards with friends at the Cleveland Elks Lodge, staying up to date on the news, traveling to Nashville and Franklin to spend time with family, and enjoying the homemade desserts lovingly prepared by his wife, Nell.

Joe served on the board of the Hiwassee Utilities Commission and was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Ocoee before later attending First Baptist Church of Cleveland.

Above all, Joe was devoted to his family. He was a proud husband, father, and grandfather who treasured time spent with those he loved most.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Don V. Edwards.

Joe is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nell Green Edwards, whom he married in 1964; his daughters, Leslie Edwards Norman and her husband, Todd Norman; Brooke Edwards Gilliam and her husband, Mark Gilliam, his granddaughter, Copeland Elizabeth Norman; and his beloved first cousins, Charles (Lurrie) Edwards and Dr. Phyllis Edwards Miller.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Tom Wickes for pastoral care, as well as to Janey Patten and caregivers Dorothy Foster and Sandy Glover for their support.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tennessee Technological University in memory of Joe Harle Edwards.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM in the Ridge Sanctuary of Companion Funeral Home located at 2412 Georgetown Road NW in Cleveland TN. The visitation time will conclude with a brief time of scripture and prayer. The family will then go to the Cookson Creek Baptist Church Cemetery for a private family graveside.

You are encouraged to share a memory of Joe and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral & Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist his family with these arrangements.