Edward James Malone, age 90, went home to be with the Lord on September 21, 2022.
Edward James was one of nine children born to Beatrice Malone in Holt, Alabama on March 3, 1932. He professed Christ at an early age while attending church with his grandmother in Holt. Edward left Holt, Alabama to go to Alabama A&M University on a football scholarship. Soon after enrolling he was drafted in the United States Army. After serving in Fort Meade, Maryland he was honorably discharged. He then re-enrolled at Alabama A&M University where he met the love of his life, Elois. This courtship bloomed into a marriage of 62 years.
They relocated as Mr. & Mrs. to Cleveland, Ohio to begin a family. To this union one daughter was born, Alisha, who he named ten days after her birth. In 1964 Ed went back to Alabama A&M University to complete his degree in Business Education. While matriculating he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and upon returning to Cleveland he was employed at Supreme Life Insurance as a Debit Manager. Later he ventured into the field of public housing with Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority managing several estates for 28 years. It is at Carver Park Estates that he developed a love of gardening, and he started the first community garden in public housing.
Ed joined St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in the early nineties where he remained a faithful member until the time of his passing. He served as a Deacon and Elder during those years and also actively participated in Sunday School, Men’s Council, Philothea Bible Study, Budget & Finance Committee, Corporate Affairs and the Evangelism Ministry. As his faith and devotion deepened, Ed became affectionately known as “Rabbi” amongst his church family.
Although Ed was an introvert, he loved his family and the gatherings that they would have. It gave him pleasure to watch his family enjoy spending time together, particularly Sunday dinners with his immediate family where eating, storytelling and laughter filled the air. His favorite part of the meal was dessert, anything sweet but he was especially fond of Bluebell strawberry ice cream.
Ed led a full life; gardening with the Schaeffer-Miles Garden Club, exercising three to four times a week at the YMCA, tending to his home garden and yard, and shopping. He was notorious for buying items and calling one of us over to set it up. His life-long passion was the poor, needy and homeless. His life mission was to evangelize and fulfill the scripture from Hebrew 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Ed is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elois; daughter, Alisha Evans (Maurice); nephew/son, Uleto Fuentes (Lisa); grandchildren: Nakisha (Ervin), Jamica (Adrian), Chamara, Aleena, Noldon, great grandchildren: Ariela, J’Niah, Kaiya, Mecca, Nasira, great granddaughter, Kailoni Jade, sisters-in-law: Gladys Malone (Dave –d), Stephanie Walls (Charles –d), Susie Rivers (Hopson –d), Erma Mitchell and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends who will miss his presence deeply.