Joan C. Edwards had a long and influential history as a powerful philanthropic force in Huntington, West Virginia, where she lived the great portion of her life with her husband James Edwards.
Born Joan Cavill in London, England, she moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, at the age of four. By age 11, she was singing on the New Orleans radio station WWL. From there, her career as a jazz singer and performer included filming movie shorts, singing with orchestras, recording with Clyde McKoy and his Kentucky Band and performing in New York, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. Jimmy and Joan married in 1937 and settled in Huntington, where Jimmy ran his business National Mattress Company.
As a result of Joan’s attachment to art and education, she became the largest single donor to Marshall University in the modern era. In total, Joan and James Edwards donated more than $65 million to Marshall University and the Huntington community. The results of Mrs. Edwards’ substantial giving efforts have been the creation of the Marshall University Jomie Jazz Center, the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards Center for the Performing Arts, the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, The Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards Stadium and Marshall University James F. Edwards Field.
She also gifted funds to build, equip, and endow a nature conservatory at the Huntington Museum of Art.
Joan C. Edwards died on May 7, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. She spent the last few days of her life receiving treatment and care in the cancer center she helped to create.
