JOHN C. "J.C." EARNEST

John C. "J.C." Earnest, age 96, of Donalsonville, GA, passed away Friday afternoon, July 25, 2025, at his residence.

Funeral services for Mr. Earnest will be held on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Salem-Seminole Baptist Church with Rev. David Roland officiating. Interment will follow in Spring Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Randall Earnest, Cameron Glass, Jordan Newberry, Jackson Newberry, Caden Mercer, and Dee Broome serving as active pallbearers. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 1:00 PM at Salem-Seminole Baptist Church.

Mr. Earnest was born in Donalsonville, GA on December 26, 1928, to John C. Earnest and Minnie Mitchell Earnest. He served his country in the United States Army from 1948 to 1950 and then in the Army Reserves until 1955. Mr. Earnest worked in purchasing with Southern Airways and Ammaco Fabrics for a number of years, and then for the Board of Tax Assessors for Seminole County for 40 years before his retirement. He was a member of Salem-Seminole Baptist Church and of the Salem Lodge #267 Masons. Mr. Earnest had recently received his 75 year Masonic apron.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Randy Earnest, Lisa Newberry, and Vicki Mercer and husband Bill; his grandchildren, Randall Earnest and Chelsea, Erica Broome and Dee, Cameron Glass and Ashli, Jordan Newberry and Emily, Jackson Newberry and Lauren, Caden Mercer and Kaylee, Courtney Parker and Travis, and Corey Mercer and Alea; as well as his great grandchildren, Blake Earnest, Konner Broome, Eli Broome, Colten Mercer, Ellie Kathryn Newberry, Mac Broome, Parker Broome, Jana Westbrook, Luna Pace Harrell, Kyler Nunnally, Mackenna Parker, Jaxson Parker, Kragen Parker, and Blayke Phillips. Also surviving are his stepchildren, Bill Alday, Dr. Michael Alday and Deborah, and Stephen R. Alday and Stephen King; his step-grandchildren, William Alday, Heather Alday-Byll, Ryan Alday, Janna Alday, Cali Alday, Erin Alday, Macy Alday, Jacqueline Alday, and Allison Harmon; as well as 6 step-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Earnest was preceded in death by his parents, John C. and Minnie Mitchell Earnest; his first wife and mother of his children, Ruth Earnest; his wife, Audrey Earnest; his siblings, Juanita Alday, Willie Matthews, Erma Bridwell, Oleen Helms, Mabel Chance, Claude Earnest, and Clyde Earnest; and two sons, Ricky Earnest and David Johnson.