Lloyd Walter Earhart

Lloyd Walter Earhart, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 31, 2016. He had been in the care of his family at the home of his youngest daughter and son-in-law in Churchville for the past 10 weeks.   He joins his precious wife and "prize" Sibyl Elizabeth Epperley Earhart who preceded him in death on Jan. 10, 2015.  We rejoice that they now walk hand in hand in heaven just as they did here.  Our mother loved to gaze upon and hold our father's hands.  His work as a dairy and beef farmer on his farms in McKinley and Greenville had taken their toll on his hands but, to our mother, they were the most beautiful hands she could hold.  They were married April 10, 1949 in the Bethel Presbyterian Church manse and remained happily married for more than sixty-five years.Left to cherish his memory are his three daughters and sons-in-law:  Linda and Wayne Huffman of Greenville, Pam and Larry Clemmer of Middlebrook, and Teresa and Tom Rosemeier of Churchville.  His precious grandchildren and their spouses are Tim and Dianna Clemmer, Philip and Stacy Clemmer, all of Middlebrook, Chris and Tammy Huffman of Steeles Tavern, Amanda and Jeff Pfeifer of Warrenton, Ryan and Natalie Ballew of Churchville, Michael and Katie Ballew of Staunton, Jordan Ballew of Churchville, and Chris, Garrett, and Vienna Rosemeier, all of Staunton.Also blessed to have him as their great-grandfather are Ashlyn, Matthew, Kayla, Justin, and Cyrus Clemmer, Colton and Kellen Pfeifer, Mia Ballew, Gracie Sargent, Charlie Elizabeth Ballew, and Matthew Rosemeier.Mr. Earhart was born Aug. 20, 1929 in Spottswood, Va. to Ira Lewis and Lula Buchanan Earhart.  He was a faithful member of Greenville Baptist Church for over sixty years.  He was honored  by the church in June of 2015 with the position of deacon emeritus for his faithful service to the church. He was preceded in death by his parents, a stillborn son, and also all of his brothers-Roy, Henry, Richard, and Joe Earhart.  His sister Frances E. McCormick survives him as well as many nieces and nephews.Mr. Earhart was an incredibly hard-working man who considered being a good provider to and protector of his family to be God-given priorities.  He was a kind, gentle, and generous man with a great love for his family and a tremendous sense of humor.  He loved to tell silly jokes, sing funny, little songs, and he was the one who could never wait for all the Christmas gifts to be handed out before opening his own.  He especially loved being surrounded by his great-grandchildren and holding the little ones in his arms. He was a very humble man who was not ashamed to tell people that he had only an eighth grade education.  This was due to his older brothers being called to WWII and he was needed to work on the family's farm.  Still, he was one of the most intelligent men his family has ever known and taught his children to "get all the education you can because it's the one thing no one can ever take away from you."Even more importantly, he knew his eternal life could not be taken from him.  He shared with his family that at the age of fourteen, during a revival at Bethel Presbyterian Church, he understood what Jesus had done for him and he accepted Him as his Lord and Savior.  He is present with the Lord now and can no longer be touched by cancer or heart disease.The family extends deep gratitude to Faye Buchanan Taylor (precious cousin and care-giver), Dr. Rob Marsh, Dr. Dennis Hatter for his many years of devoted care, and all the wonderful friends who brought food, flowers, cards, or just came and sat with our dad.  Also, we are so grateful to Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah, especially nurse Laura Summy, Diane Davis, Audrey Deese, Rosalee Waterman, and Kathy Gunther.Visitation will be at Henry Funeral Home from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2016 with the celebration of his life being at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 5, 2016 in the sanctuary of Greenville Baptist Church led by Pastor Jamie McClanahan.  Active pallbearers will be his grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be members of the adult Sunday School classes of the church.  Interment will be at Old Providence A.R.P. Church. Memorial donations may be made to Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939 or Gideons International, Augusta South Camp 4501.9, P.O. Box 2021, Staunton, VA  24402-2021.