Milton Earl Kennon

Milton “Earl” Kennon, Sr., went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Penn Nursing Center.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Wilkerson Funeral Home, with Pastor and son, Jr. Kennon, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 10:00-11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Mt. Carmel Church Cemetery, with Military Honors performed by the Rockingham County Honor Guard.

Earl was born on July 15, 1933, to the late Joseph and Mary Kennon in Rockingham County. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. He enjoyed working on cars and watching baseball, especially the Atlanta Braves. Earl was forever faithful to his wife, Louise, whom he loved dearly. He adored his grandchildren and loved taking them places. He even taught all of his grandchildren how to drive a stick shift by changing gears while they rode in the passenger seat.

Earl was also an animal lover and was especially fond of his beloved furry friends, Cricket, Sparky, and Smokey. More than anything, he loved the Lord and was a faithful member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and will be deeply missed by all.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Kennon; siblings, Emmit Kennon, Melvin Kennon, Gene Kennon, Oliver Kennon, Sue Kennon, and Elizabeth Kennon.

He is survived by his sons, Milton Earl Kennon, Jr. (Phyllis), Kenneth Wayne Kennon (Gina), Raymond Kennon; daughter, Carolyn Ann Smith; grandchildren, Patty Wilderman (Rusty), Joe Kennon (Layla), Becky Petteys (Ryan), and Justin Kennon. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Owen Wilderman, Taylour Hamilton (Adam), Caitlin Isley, Kaitlyn Kennon, Julian Petteys, and Cara Petteys; great-great-grandchild, Aliyah Lewis; and special friend, Dicky Hawks.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Penn Nursing Center for the care they provided in his final years.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tabernacle Baptist Church – General Fund, 1216 Grooms Rd., Reidsville, NC 27320.