JOHN TILLMAN EARNEST

JOHN TILLMAN EARNEST, a resident of the Moscow Community, Vietnam Veteran and former Roofing, Heating and Air Conditioning Sub-Contractor died at 8 A.M. Sunday, March 29, 2009 in Blytheville, Arkansas at the home of family members where he was visiting. He was 60 years of age and died following a one-week illness.

Funeral services for Mr. Earnest were conducted at 2 P.M. Wednesday, April 1st at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. Loyd Shelton, Baptist Minister of Rossville, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Earnest Family Cemetery near Middleton, Tennessee. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Earnest was born March 7, 1949 in Brownsville Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo Earnest and Mary Alice Davis Earnest. He moved at an early age to Shelby County and was educated in the Memphis City Public School System.

He was proud to be a United States Army Veteran who served his country in Vietnam.

Early in life he became an employee of Roofing, Heating and Air Conditioning Companies and served as a subcontractor in these areas before retiring for health reasons.

Mr. Earnest was a Baptist throughout his life and was a member of the Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Memphis. He was a lifelong resident of West Tennessee and lived in Fayette, Shelby and Hardeman Counties. His passion was repairing and restoring vehicles and he enjoyed anything mechanical.

He was an avid wrestling fan and was devoted to his grandchildren who were his pride and joy.

Survivors of Mr. Earnest include two daughters, Brenda Ann Earnest of Searcy, AR and Donna Kay Earnest of Gosnell, AR; three sisters: Betty Walker of Rossville, Margaret Ann Dowdy of Leesville, SC and Nanci Earnest of Southaven, MS; three brothers: Richard Earnest of Memphis, Terry Earnest of Somerville and J. C. (Chris) Earnest of Memphis and seven grandchildren: Joseph Earnest, Carlos Earnest, Juan Earnest, Casey Watson, Lisa Earnest, Kristy Galloway and Jesse Galloway.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were James Earnest, Ray Earnest, Shawn Looney, Josh Smith, Mike Smith, Jim Lockett, Brandon Smith and Kenneth Walker.

The family request that Memorials be directed to the charity or organization of the donor's choice.