HARRELLSVILLE-James Robert “Jimmy” Earley, Sr., age 79, of the 100 block of Apache Road, died Sunday, March 7, 2010, at his home.

Mr. Earley was born in Hertford County on October 8, 1930, a son of the late Herman Thomas and Ruby Perry Earley. He was a graduate of Harrellsville High School and graduated Valedictorian of his class. Jimmy was a member of Christian Harbor Baptist Church and was owner/operator of Earley & Winborne, peanut buyers and trucking company.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Betty Ann Edwards Earley of the home; a daughter, Cathy Earley Mann and husband Richard of Greenville, NC; two sons, James R. “Jimmy” Earley, Jr.and wife, Rhonda, and Thomas Edward “Eddie” Earley, all of Harrellsville,; two sisters, Ann Ellis of Harrellsville and Shirley Jones of Powellsville; and two brothers, Douglas “Duck” Earley of Como, and Freddie Earley of Conway, NC. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Crystal Earley, Jamie Earley, Jacob Earley, Bronson Earley, PFC Joshua Earley and Doyle Earley; and great grandchildren, Gabriel Pierce and Michael Earley.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at Harrellsville Baptist Church, with the Rev. Mark Hall and Rev. Hugh Mizelle officiating. Burial will follow in Harrellsville Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Garrett-Jones Funeral Home from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and other times at the home. Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Univeristy Health Systems Hospice Care, POB 272, Ahoskie, NC, 27910, or to Harrellsville Baptist Church Building Fund, POB 5, Harrellsville, NC, 27942.

The family would like to express their heart appreciation to those who cared for Jimmy with love and compassion during his illness, especially Sarah Askew, Ruby Moore, Lorraine Pierce, Frances Outlaw, and Leisha Smith.