M. Douglas Earley

Marion Douglas Earley, 69, of 1218 US Hwy 258 N., Como, NC, died Thursday, June 14, 2012 in Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie. Mr. Earley was born in Hertford County and was the son of the late Herman Thomas and Ruby Viola Perry Earley. A veteran of the US Army, he had retired as a Staff Sergeant after more than 26 years of service and had later been employed as a truck driver with Union 76 Oil Company. A Baptist by faith, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and operating his produce stand. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wives, Brenda Williams Earley and Patricia Elaine Marnell; and four brothers, Jimmy, Melvin, Bud and Herman Earley. Surviving are his two sons, Woodie D. Earley and Timothy Y. Earley and wife Jo Ann, both of Eure; two sisters, Shirley Jones of Powellsville and Ann Ellis of Harrellsville; a brother, Freddie Y. Earley of Conway; and two grandchildren, Matthew Y. Earley and Ashley L. Earley. Also surviving are Patricia Marnell's daughters, Tammey Darden, Pennie Herbert, and Traci Jones, and her son, James "Tiger" Ellestad. A graveside memorial service will be held Monday at 4:00 p.m. in the Earley Family Cemetery, located off of Swain's Mill Road in Harrellsville. Friends may join the family at the home of his son, Timothy Earley, 20 Taylor Mill Road, Eure. Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Eure Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 51, Eure, NC 27935 or to Como Ruritan Club, Spiers Road, Como, NC 27818.