Earl Finnell

Earl Finnell, 99, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2008 in a local hospital. He was a member of Central Church of Christ for 67 years where he was an active teacher for many years. He was a circuit preacher at Union Grove Church of Christ and Antioch Church of Christ in the late 1940?s and early 1950?s. He was retired from Hardwick Stove Company after 35 years of service. He served in the National Guard in the 1930?s. Mr. Finnell was the son of the late Oscar Finnell and Rose Sandidge Finnell and was also preceded in death by his wife, Bernadine Barker Finnell; son, Vernon Finnell; daughter-in-law, Deloris Finnell; sisters, Lela Goode, Mona Owens, and Gladys Williamson; brothers, W.T. "Ted" Finnell, Robert Finnell, Wallace Finnell, Pledger Finnell, French Finnell and Hubert Finnell. He is survived by three sons: Lester Finnell and Louis Finnell both of Cleveland and Douglas Finnell and wife Ann Finnell of Mandeville, Louisiana; daughter, Joyce Dickinson and husband Jerry Dickinson of Casselberry, Florida; eleven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Basil Finnell and wife JoAnn Finnell of Cleveland; sisters-in-law, Geneva Finnell of Cleveland and Peggy Walker of Ooltewah; daughter-in-law, Shelia Finnell of Athens; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 2008 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Minister Tom Harrison officiating. Interment will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2008 at Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with a white dove release ceremony concluding the service. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. His family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, December 28, 2008 at the funeral home prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Central Church of Christ- Missions, 200 25th Street, Cleveland, Tennessee 37311 or your preferred charity. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Finnell family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.