Built in 2000 at its current location, Josephine Edwards Christian School (JECS) stands as a memorial to one of our area's most beloved teachers and authors, Josephine Cunnington Edwards (1904-1993). Mrs. Edwards was not only a distinguished educator who served our local community but also a woman of remarkable accomplishments whose influence extended far beyond Ellijay.

Mrs. Edwards taught at both Gilmer County High School and Pleasant Gap Adventist School, bringing her extraordinary experience and passion for education to our mountain community. From 1957 to 1962, she served as a high school teacher in Ellijay, but her story encompasses so much more. As a prolific Seventh-day Adventist author, she wrote 34 books and numerous articles that inspired children and families around the world. Her dynamic storytelling and commitment to Christian character made her a sought-after speaker who traveled extensively, sharing her message of faith and education.

Before arriving in Ellijay, Mrs. Edwards and her husband had served as missionaries in Africa for seven years, where she was principal of Malamulo Teacher Training College in Nyasaland (now Malawi). She spoke five languages fluently and brought a global perspective to her teaching. When the Edwards family returned to the United States, they brought with them three adopted African children, demonstrating their heart for service and family that extended beyond borders.

JECS also serves as a memorial to the many who sacrificed to establish Pleasant Gap School, from which our current school has evolved. This humble institution has been in continuous operation since 1952, representing over seven decades of dedicated Christian education in our community. Throughout these years, Pleasant Gap School and now JECS have produced graduates who have become teachers, nurses, doctors, preachers, missionaries, and valued members of their communities—a testament to the solid foundation of faith and learning that began with those early pioneers.

Mrs. Edwards' impact on our community was so significant that when this school was established in its current location, there was no question about honoring both her legacy and the sacrificial spirit of those who built Pleasant Gap School before us. With our larger and more centrally located facilities, JECS continues the educational mission that Mrs. Edwards embodied and that Pleasant Gap School faithfully maintained: combining academic excellence with traditional Christian values, fostering curiosity and character, and preparing students to make a positive difference in their world—just as she did in ours, and just as our graduates continue to do today.