Earnestine Eason

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home with Bro. Ron Davis officiating.  Burial will follow at Robertson Cemetery in Bells, TN. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN. 

She was born on December 4, 1938, in San Angelo, TX, to John Harvey Gibbs and Bonnie Mae (Loudamy) Gibbs, and later the daughter of Truett Foster.

On April 2, 1954, Earnestine married the love of her life, Bobby Ray Eason, in Big Spring, TX, but this was only the beginning of their great love story. What followed was 22 years of being a dedicated military wife. The life of a military spouse is never easy, but Earnestine embraced it as she did all of life, with a strong determination and a thirst for the next adventure. Though she was often alone while her dear husband served his country, he never came home empty handed. Her admirable collection of watches and jewelry is a testament to Bobby Ray’s adoration of her and all that she was.

After retirement, they returned to Brownsville, TN, where Earnestine began her career as a pharmacy technician at Bradford Square Pharmacy and Quality Drug Store, where she served for 30 years.

She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for nearly 50 years, where she faithfully served and loved her community. If you tried to make plans with Earnestine on Saturday evening, she would be sure to tell you that she had to be home in time to prepare her Sunday School lesson.

In recent years, nothing brought Earnestine more joy than listening to her Southern Gospel music. She would travel far and wide to see her favorite groups in concert, and always did so with her best friends, Carolyn Booker, Hedy (Eason) Houston, and Frances Byrd by her side. These dedicated groupies could be found on planes, boats, buses and trains chasing their beloved gospel voices.

She is survived by her beloved son, Keith Eason and wife Tracie of Bells, TN; sister, Harvey Mae Klassen (Don) of Silver Creek, NE; grandchildren, Chris Eason, of Martin, TN, Brent (Shandin) Eason of Roanoke, VA, Corrine (Eric) Nevins, of Riverview, FL, Megan Cenidoza of Montgomery, AL, Hannah (Kohli) Johnson of Lapeer, MI, Bailey Mae Eason of Jackson, TN, eight great-grandchildren, Caleb, Molly Anne, Keenan, Ellie Raye, Kailer, Mackenzie, Hazel Grace, Colby Blake, and numerous nieces and nephews, known to them as Aunt Teen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bobby Ray Eason; her son, Kenneth Ray Eason and wife Denise; and sisters, Wilma and Billie.

Pallbearers for the service are Chris Eason, Brent Eason, Kohli Johnson, Brian Moore, and John Dudley.

Earnestine had a special place in her heart for the children at St. Jude, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.  All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN. 

                                                                “Death to the Christian is the funeral
                                                                            of all his sorrows and evils,
                                                                   and the resurrection of all his joys.”