James Edward “Big Ed” Askins Jr., 60, of Fayetteville, passed away on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at his residence. He was born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, on Sept. 25, 1965, to the late James Edward Askins Sr. and Virginia Ruth Henderson Askins. He was an employee of Franke.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, LaPrentiss Askins; daughter, Deanndria C. March; and nephew, Eldridge Marquis Askins. He was known as Granddaddy or “Pop Pop” to most.

Survivors include his wife, Gwendolyn March Askins; three sons, Edward Marquis Askins, James Eldridge Terae Askins and Edward Desean Askins; one step-daughter, Erissa (Trey) Nolan; one step-son, Kelvin Wooten Jr.; 11 grandchildren: Amaya, Lexie, Jalen, McKinley, Zayla, Eli, Jalesah, Destini, Christian, Isaha and Josiah; one great-granddaughter, Paris Aurora Barley; four sisters, Claudia Askins, Gail McWilliams, Barbara Askins, and Anita Shelton; sister-in-law, Mary (Harold) Fowler; two brothers-in-law, William Kenneth (Glenda) Hedgspeth and Quentin (Jennifer) Hedgspeth; one uncle, Stanley (Barbara) Henderson; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and extra families of children he nurtured.

Homegoing services will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, in the chapel of Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home with the Rev. Dezi Fletcher officiating. Burial will follow in Antioch Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Gallant-Riverview Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of James Edward Askins Jr.