Earl Oliver Sears

Earl Oliver Sears, 92 of Rocky Mount passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Nov 2nd.
Earl was survived by his wife of 68 wonderful years Elsie Byrd Sears of Duplin County, NC.

Earl, who was born in Nash County, was preceded in death by his Father Cicero Sears and Mother Alverada Bass Sears. He had one half Sister Barbara Sears Byrd. Earl was raised by his mother and his uncle Linwood Bass (deceased) and was very close to his cousins, Billy Bass, Donald Bass, Faye Bass, Margaret Ann Bass, Steve Bass (deceased), Kenneth Bass (deceased) Sammy Bass (deceased) who he thought of as brothers and sisters.

He was also proceeded in death by his aunts and uncles AZ Bass, Alton Bass, Junior Bass, Rebecca Bass Lee, Irene Bass McCullen and Annie Bass Bunn.

He is survived by his sons James O. Sears and wife Dawn and J. Wayne Sears and wife Audrey, and grandsons Christopher Payton Sears and wife Liz, Josh V. Davis and Nick S. Davis and great-granddaughter Emma Sears.
Earl graduated from Rocky Mount High and was a RMT Blackbird and was a Blackbird baseball pitcher. He served in the Army during the Korean War form 1952- 1954 in the Army Signal Corps. While stationed in Germany he responded to the devastating January 1953 North Sea flooding of the Netherlands. He received a commendation from Queen Juliana of the Netherlands for his actions

He was an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason in the Corinthian 0230 Masonic Lodge for fifty years and a life time member of the VFW.
Earl was a partner in Englewood Supermarket with Bobby Mears for 35 years and he enjoyed serving customers from all over the area. Earl was known as a great cook and willingly shared tips and recipes with any customer. During the holiday season they prepared cooked, and sold, hundreds of turkeys and hams for customers and businesses that ordered as much as a year in advance.

During retirement he honed his skills as a builder and a fine furniture maker. He and his friend Frank Aycock made many pieces of outstanding furniture for over a dozen years.

Earl and Elsie were charter members of Englewood Presbyterian Church. He devoted much of his life towards its mission. He was known for organizing cookouts, BBQ chicken sales and gatherings. He served on almost every board within the Church and was an Ordained Elder and Elder Emirates. During the early 2000’s as head of the Grounds and Building Committee he oversaw the construction of the Church’s present day sanctuary. He was known for being on the site every day from the start of construction until its dedication.

A special thank you of appreciation from the family to his care giver Kay Townse. Also to HOSPICE and the Veterans Administration and their nurse practitioner, Cheryl Duke.

A Private Service is being arranged by Cornerstone Funeral Home at Englewood Presbyterian Church with internment at Rocky Mount Memorial Park Mausoleum. The Family ask that memorials be sent to Englewood Presbyterian Church, 100 Englewood Dr. Rocky Mount NC 27804