Wednesday, June 30, 2021 11:29 am

James Blaine (Jim) Earls, 78, of Ellenboro, passed away Monday, June 14, 2021.

He was the son of the late Richard Blaine Earls, Sue Owens Earls Gettys, and Benny Gettys and was a native of Rutherford County.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Alice Gettys; brother-in-law, Bobby Scoggins; a nephew; 3 nieces; father and mother in-law, Clemmer and Jessie Thomas; and many good friends.

Jim is survived by his wife, Lucy Earls; son Jamie Earls; daughter and son-in-law, Jennie and Jason Greenway; sisters, Cathy Corn (Houston) and Mattie Scoggins; brothers, Tommy Earls (Cathey); Ben Gettys, Jr. (Laurice); and Raymond Gettys (Sandra); and the greatest joy of his life, his four grandchildren, sister-in-law, Anne Billingsley and her husband Bob; 21 nephews and nieces; 41 great nephews and nieces; 10 great, great nephews and nieces, and many special friends.

Funeral services were conducted at Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers: Ed Benfield, Doug Biggerstaff, Chris Billingsley, Richard Billingsley, Russ Foote, Ronnie Harrill, Ronald Hutchins, and Johnny Sisk.

Memorials may be made to Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 1507 Oak Grove Church Road, Ellenboro, NC, 28040 designated to the Kentucky Mission Fund or United Methodist Men.