Eldon Earnest

The sweet spirit of Eldon R. Earnest, 80, a longtime resident of Odessa, Texas departed on Tuesday, August 31, 2010. He was born in Pinkstaff, Illinois on April 16, 1930 to Alfred B. and Elsie Earnest.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 AM Friday, September 3, 2010 at Sunset Memorial Gardens followed by an 11:00 AM Memorial Service at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Terry Pierce, of First Church of Nazarene, officiating.

He loved the Lord and was a member of First Church of Nazarene. He had worked on the churchs commitment to help the needy and visit the sick and the elderly. Later in his life, health problems kept him from doing many things he loved. He lived each day with hope, optimism and love. He had a delightful sense of humor and found joy in making others happy and ALWAYS found time to listen when you needed him. He was a loving man with a gentle spirit who did all he could to make the world a better place to live. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve for four years and served most of the active duty required. He also played in the minor league for the St. Louis Cardinals.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred G. and Elsie Earnest a brother, Bob Earnest and wife Betty brother, Marvin Earnest, both lived in Quincy, Illinois and a sister, Donna Carol Kellum of Tuscon, Arizona.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Lena Lynn Earnest his children, Kenneth E. Earnest and wife Sharon, Janice Gupton and family, Sandra Tipton and family, all of Quincy, Illinois, Gaye Ann Cruz and husband Mando of New Braunfels, Texas eleven grandchildren, Brian Earnest, Amy Earnest, and eight others in Quincy, Illinois, Steven R. Harvey of Austin Texas, Sarah Brooks and husband Aaron of Abilene, Texas, Stephanie L. Ritchie and husband Troy of New Braunfels, Texas sixteen great grandchildren, Janell Harvey, Paul Harvey and Ronnie Harvey of Austin, Texas Katelynn Brooks and Chase Brooks of Abilene, Texas, Annlyn B. Richie, Caia Ritchie and Emory Ritchie of New Braunfels, Texas. He loved all of his family dearly and was a wonderful grandfather by the name of Papaw or Grandpa.

Honoree pallbearers will be Martin Benevedez, Lamar Knighten, Gary Murry, Paul Johnson, Bill Wright and David Clay.

Memorials may be made to: Memorial Fund at First Church of Nazarene, Odessa, Texas of to the Home Hospice.

Service

Memorial Service

Sunset Memorial Chapel
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, September 3, 2010
11:00 AM

Graveside Services

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 East Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Friday, September 3, 2010
10:30 AM

Memorial Contributions

2223 Lyndale
Odessa, TX  79762


516 N. Texas
Odessa, TX  79761