Rev. James Garland Early

Rev. James Garland Early, 69, of Pineburr Rd., Lenoir, NC died Thursday evening, December 29, 2005 at his residence following a lengthy illness. He was born November 8, 1936 in Rutherford County, NC, and was a son of the late Robert and Effie Marie Hyder Early. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and seven sisters. Rev. Early was a minister for 50 years, and retired from the Laurel Springs Baptist Church in Boone, NC. He was a member of Mt. Home Baptist Church where he served as the Sunday school teacher for the 60 and over class.

He is survived by his wife, Anne Sain Early of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Judy Early of Maiden, NC; a daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Eddie Townsend of Deep Gap, NC; brothers, Robert Early, Dennis Arrowood, and Bobby Arrowood, all of Morganton; sisters, Grace Dehetre, Vivian Alderman, Joyce Cordell and Juanita Elmore, all of Morganton; and grandchildren, Melissa Early, Will Early, and Brahm Townsend.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 1, 2006 at Mt. Home Baptist Church with the Reverends Jerry Gamble and David Orders officiating. The family would like to invite other ministers to serve as honorary pallbearers. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. at the church. At other times, family will be at the residence, Pineburr Rd. in Gamewell, NC. Memorial contributions may be made to Blowing Rock Hospital, PO Box 148, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, or to Mt. Home Baptist Church Building Fund, 2272 Mt. Home Church Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.