Earl Hoyle Withers

Dallas- Earl Hoyle Withers, Sr., 92 of 508 West Trade St. went home to be with the Lord December 23, 2013 surrounded by his family. He was loved dearly by his wife of 69 yrs., who died January 22, 2010, and all his children and grandchildren
He was a native of Gaston County, born December 26, 1920 to the late John Samuel Withers, Sr and Mary Smith Withers. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 69 years, Helen Rudisill Withers; brother John Samuel Withers, sisters, Mary Ellen Grahl, Jean Withers.
Earl was a graduate of Dallas High School, where he was valedictorian. He was co-owner along with his wife Helen of Withers Food Mart in Dallas for over 20 yrs. He was a Charter member of Community Baptist Church where he was also very active since 1960 serving as, Treasurer, Deacon and Men's Bible Study for 42 years, He retired from J.P. Stevens with over 35 years of service. Earl was Co-Founder of Dallas Rescue 1974, Assisted in reorganizing Spencer Mtn VFD, Civil Defense Director for Town of Dallas early 1960's, Shriner, oldest mason in the Lodge 263 Dallas since 1946, a member of Dallas Fire Department since 1940-oldest volunteer Fire and Rescue member. He worked with Blair Falls Houser at Dallas Funeral Home, used to run ambulance calls out of the funeral home, where the Dallas Rescue Squad was organized. He also received the EMS Founders Award from Gaston County, May 2004; Dallas Rescue Board of Director Emeritus, recipient of Long Leaf Pine Award of North Carolina, 2009; Co-founder of the Little Big Horn Steakhouse, his old homeplace.
Survivors include his children: Kaye W. and Bill Clemmons, Lana W. and Charlie Jones, Earl Hoyle Withers, Jr., Marcia W Hovis,
Gary L. and Rhonda Withers all of Dallas;
Grandchildren: Donna and Jeremy, Greg and Tammy, Josh and Kim, Earl and Kim, Eric and Adrienne, Alice and Jason, Sherri, Carey and Heather, Len and Jada, Leslie and Bryan, Megan and Mikeal, Margaret and Chris, Betty and Frankie, Madison and Great Grandchildren: Cody, Sydney, Meredith, Logan, Earl IV, Landon, Bryson, Alston, Eli, Noah, Trevor, Carey Jr, Josh, Chris, Davey, Hannah, Zack, Landon, Alec, Logan, Cameron, Cassey, Hayley, Colton, Kennedy and Kim and CarolAnn; a great great granddaughter, Ryleigh Banx Lay. Sister, Jane W. Hoyle, Brothers and sisters in law: Bill and Frances Withers, Sonny and Nancy Withers, Esther Withers; Sister-in-laws; Sara R. Michael, Joanne R Lewis and Mary Charles R Brown

Family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 pm Friday, December 27, 2013 at Community Baptist Church, 823 Dallas-Stanley Hwy, Dallas,
Funeral service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, December 28, 2013 at Community Baptist Church with Rev. Matt Seagle officiating
Interment will follow at Long Creek Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery with The Releasing of the Doves
Memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Dallas, NC 28054 or Community Baptist Church. 823 Dallas-Stanley Hwy., Dallas, NC 28034 Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home, 2916 Union Rd Gastonia, 704-864-5144 is serving the Withers Family.