Elisha June Earnest Jr.

Elisha June Earnest Jr., 78 of Conway, formerly of Holly Grove, passed away on Wednesday, August 6 at his home.

Elisha was born April 27, 1947 in Holly Grove, Arkansas to Elisha June Earnest Sr. and Girtie Rose Scott-Earnest. He was the eldest child born to this union.

"Shorty Dog" or "Shorty" as Elisha was known, was baptized at First Baptist Church in Holly Grove under the leadership of Reverend Hinkle.

Elisha received his education from the Holly Grove Public School System. After completing high school in 1965, he went on to attend Shorter College in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Elisha was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam era for which he received an honorable discharge.

After returning home from service, Elisha met and married Patricia Ellison in 1971.

Elisha moved to Columbus Ohio in the early years after his service where he worked as a Corrections Officer for more than 25 years before retiring.

Elisha relocated his family to Arkansas in 2015 .

His daughter Virginia F. Earnest, a grandchild Da'Juan Coates, Elisha Earnest Sr., and Girtie Rose Earnest; five brothers: Lane Earnest, Lee Vader Earnest, Frederick Earnest, Alvin Earnest and Christopher Earnest and a daughter Peggy Earnest all preceded Elisha in death.

Survivors are his wife of over 50 plus years, Patricia Earnest of Conway, AR; three sons: Eric (LeAnn) Earnest of Kansas City, MO; Ronnie Earnest of Pine Bluff, AR; Elisha J. (Kelley) Earnest III of Columbus, GA; two daughters: Pamela Kelly of Pine Bluff, AR and Shonda Ellison of Conway, AR; thirty eight grandchildren, forty six great grandchildren; seven brothers: Jerome Earnest of Atlanta, GA; Darrell ( Joslyn) Earnest and Harrell (Christine) Earnest both of San Antonio, TX; Rickey (Donna) Earnest of Holly Grove, AR; Vincent (Rose) Earnest of Dallas, TX; Kenneth Earnest of Little Rock, AR and David Lee Starr of Tusker, AR; eleven sisters: Lonzella Forrester and Carrie Mae Starr both of Chicago, IL; Christine Bean and Rita Owens of Holly Grove, AR; Sandra Smith, Norma Earnest Alice Earnest, Erma (Awatw) Khalsa and Brenda Bernard Reams all of Little Rock, AR; Rose Mary (Michael) Earnest-Ellison of Columbus, OH; and Vivian (Tony) East Moline, IL; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friend.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 16 at 3:00 PM at the Clarendon/Holly Grove High School Auditorium, 320 North 7th Street in Clarendon with Bro. Jermaine Kelley serving as eulogist. Interment will take place at New Hope Cemetery in Holly Grove by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 and Stuttgart ( 870) 672-7100 email: Williams funeraldirectors2022@gmail.com and web address. www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net <http://www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net>

The pallbearers are Elisha J. Earnest III, Elisha Juan Earnest, Sir Isiah Earnest, Mikechale Earnest, Harold Earnest, Stervin Smith, and Spencer Freeman and Steven Smith.