Rev. Dr. Ray C. Earls

Rev. Dr. Ray C. Earls
Rev. Dr. Ray Clarke Earls, surrounded by his wife and family, died peacefully on February 26, 2007 at a local Charlotte hospital. Dr. Earls will be deeply missed by his family and congregation. Dr .Earls was 64 years old.
Ray C. Earls was born on November 8, 1942 in Steele, MO to the late W. L. and Elouise Clarke Earls. Growing up in Steele, he graduated from high school and then attended the University of Mississippi "Ole Miss". While there he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He received his Bachelor on Ministry and Master of Divinity degree from Emory University's Candler school of Theology and received his Doctorate of Ministry from Vanderbilt University.
He began his ministry in the Missouri East Conference of the United Methodist Church. He later transferred to the North Mississippi Conference and served several Appointments there. He married Denise M. Slobusky in 1978.
Dr. Earls was very knowledgeable in Methodist history and polity as well as with the John Wesley Doctrine. He will also be remembered as a bible scholar.
He and Rev. Denise Earls also served in the Mississippi Conference before retiring in 2002. For the last 2 years Mr. Earls worked at Dicks Sporting Goods at South Park in Charlotte as well as serving as Pastor of Victory United Methodist Church "Native American" in Indian Trail.
Dr. Ray Earls is survived by his wife Rev. Denise M Earls; daughter Lynn Marie Slobusky; son Frank "Sam" Slobusky; two sisters, Loretta Reid and her husband Larry, Ann Lyon and her husband Pete; Numerous Nieces and Nephews; and a loving pet "girl dog".
A graveside service will be held on Saturday March 3, 2007 at 10:30 AM at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews. A Memorial Service will be held Sunday March 4, 2007 at the Victory United Methodist Church "Native American" at 3 PM, 316 S. Fork Rd., Indian Trail, NC.
Services have been entrusted to McEwen Funeral Service in Pineville, 10500 Park Rd. Charlotte. There will be no special visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Bishop's Katrina Church Recovery Appeal, Mississippi Conference UMC, P.O. Box 1201, Jackson, MS, 39915. Designate Advance # 818-001