August 2008

Earl C. Ross

Funeral services for Earl C. Ross will be held Tuesday, Aug. 26, at First United Methodist Church, Rusk at 3 p.m., with the Rev. Michael Caldwell officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Earl C. Ross was born Oct. 31, 1924, at Sardis, Cherokee County to the late George Alton and Evie Kinney Ross. He attended Sardis and Maydelle schools before going into military service in World War II. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army 5th Air Force, serving all over the Pacific theatre, in many of the major battles. He was in sight of the USS Missouri when the unconditional surrender was signed aboard that ship. After the war, he married Mona Ruth Wallace in 1946, and they made their home in Rusk. Earl worked at Rusk State Hospital for many years, and attended Henderson County Junior College for an A.S. degree in Nursing. During this period he also worked as a carpenter and bricklayer, and operated a used car lot for several years. He later acquired the Ford-Mercury car dealership in Rusk and maintained that business until 1981. Earl is a member of the First United Methodist Church, and has served on many committees. He has been active in civic affairs. He is past Master of the Masonic Lodge in Rusk, and is a 32nd degree Mason. He was instrumental in establishing the Southern Cherokee Credit Union and served on the Board of Directors many years, serving as President and in other offices. He also served on the Rusk Rural Water Corp. Board in the same positions. He served as Municipal Judge. In addition to these activities, in his “retirement” he engaged in buying, building, selling and renting housing. He is president of Ross Enterprises, Inc. He recently re-discovered his love of country dancing, and met many new friends while dancing. He is survived by his four children and their spouses: Barbara Lynn and Richard Nickle, James Earl, Michael Lee and Glenda, and Patricia Gail, grandson James Brandon Ross and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Ruth Scott, and brothers George Alton and Howard. He is predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Mona Ruth Wallace, his sister Bernice Roper and his brother Vernon. Pallbearers will be Lynn Taggart, Elmer Kennedy, Mike Murray, Kevin Bowden, Chris Davis and James Morris. Honorary pallbearers will be the Methodist Men’s group. Visitation will be at the Wallace-Thompson funeral home from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26. Memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice. Published in the Jacksonville Daily Progress from 8/25/2008 - 8/27/2008

Information from The Jacksonville Daily Progress