Earl David Grantham Sr.

Mr. Earl David Grantham, Sr., 85, died Saturday afternoon (March 3, 2018) at his residence after an extended illness. He was a native of Brantley County, but he lived most of his life in Waycross. A 1949 Waycross High School graduate, Earl served in the United States Army from 1953 until 1955 and was stationed in Germany. He was employed by Coca-Cola for 6 years and retired from SCL Railroad as a boilermaker after 39 years of service. Earl was currently a member of Kettle Creek Church where he served on the Board of Trustees and Cemetery Committee. Prior to Kettle Creek Church, he attended Grace Chapel for 40 years and served for many years as Adult Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent. Earl also served on the Atlantic Coast Credit Union Board of Directors with Eddie Martin and many close friends. Earl was an avid woodworker which helped him become a well-known, skilled craftsman in woodworking. He also had a passion for playing the steel guitar and harmonica at church. Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Grover Hill Grantham and Annie Elizabeth Aycock Grantham; older brother, Crawford Lee Grantham (who died during Normandy and was buried in France); older sister, Mary Ethel Chastain; and twin brother, Buddy D. Grantham (surviving wife, Shirley, of Lubbock, TX). Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Shirley Sloan Grantham of Waycross; five children, Earl David Grantham, Jr. (Cindy) of Thomasville, Randy Grantham (Belinda) of Waycross, Elizabeth Goble (Joey) of Woodbine, Sherry Yeomans (Billy) of Waycross, and Fred Garrett Grantham (Billie Jo) of Waycross; considered son, Keith Bell; 15 grandchildren, Carla Draheim (Allan), Cole Grantham (Gloria), Randi Nguyen (Eugene), Matt Kimbrell, Kerrie Ann Grantham, Lindsey Jones (Eric), Anniston Grantham, Annslee Kate Grantham, Rachael Carter (Brandon), Ryan Goble, Rebecca Dockery (Kris), Josh Abernathy (Michelle), Sara Abernathy, Jonathan Abernathy and Jared Abernathy; six great grandchildren, Noah David Grantham, Trinlee Paige Nguyen, Isaac Dockery, Nathan Abernathy, Atalie Abernathy and Ethan Abernathy; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday (March 7, 2018) at Kettle Creek Church. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:30 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at Music Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice Satilla, 808 Evergreen Way, Waycross, GA 31501. Music Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.