John David Lamarr Earls
John David Lamarr Earls, age 74, a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee, went home to be with his Lord and went into glory singing. He was ready to go and couldn’t wait to get there. He passed away with his loving family by his side. He was a loving husband and shared 53 years with the love of his life, Debbie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. James K. and Lucille Goodwin Earls; his sister, Beverly Rebecca Earls Thomas; and special aunts and uncles.
John was retired from the US Army with over 20 years of service. He served in Vietnam; Thailand; Berlin Stuttgart, Germany working at 7th Corps Headquarters; Naples, Italy working for NATO; Washington DC at the Pentagon working for the Defense Intelligence Agency; Ft. Meade, Maryland working for the Defense Courier Service; and Ft. Bragg NC working for the Army Security Agency. Before joining the military he worked for Combustion and Magic Chef. After Military retirement he worked for Permna Color and Brown Stove Works.
He loved his church Philippi Baptist where he was a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Being a member of Philippi and a deacon gave him a lot of joy. He felt honored to be serving as a deacon and loved his church family. He particularly loved his Sunday School class, the Gleaners. He loved reading the Bible and studying God’s word and sharing the message, particularly his family. Loved going out witnessing and was still witnessing to the nurse in the hospital before he passed.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah Lynn Earls; his brothers and sisters, Faith Earls Wren (Jerry), James K. Earls (Peggy), Deborah Earls Arrowood, Mary Earls Lawson (Carson), and Patty Earls Lee (Jonathan); his sister-in-law, Pamela Nelson (Ben); his nieces and nephews, Jatonne Coffman (Mike), Tyron Wren (Sheryl), Hope Hefner (Matthew), James Earls III (Amy), Wesley Arrowood, Jeff Arrowood, Kelvin Arrowood (Tammy), Venecia Visage (Eddie), Amanda Troyer (David), Reid Nelson, Matthew Lee, Cassie and Heath Lawson; along with several great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
A Remembrance of Life Service will be held Friday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. at Philippi Baptist Church with Pastor Sam Hooker officiating. The interment with Military Honors will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with his nephews, Jeffrey Arrowood, Wesley Arrowood, Kelvin Arrowood, Reid Nelson, James K. Earls III, Tyron Wren, Matthew Hefner and Jacob Anderson serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Philippi Baptist.
The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the church.
Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee St. Chapel has charge of the arrangements.