Mr. Charles Richard Earnest

August 19, 2017

Charles Richard Earnest, 81, of Indian Land, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Charles was born in Carroll County, Georgia, to the late Silas Martin Earnest and Lucy Ashmore Earnest. He was a graduate of Bremen High School and Auburn University. He proudly served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and in the Army Reserves. He retired from Dresser/Haliburton/Ingersoll Rand after 35 years of service. During his career, he was a friend to all and was well respected by his peers. He loved people and one could honestly say he never met a stranger. Charles was a faithful Christian and was active in various churches throughout his life. Most recently he was a member of Forest Hill Church in Ballantyne. Throughout his life he was devoted to his family and friends. In later years, his greatest joy was spending time with his granddaughters. Charles is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Betty Cain Earnest, his only child, Beth Hanwell, her husband Brent, and granddaughters Sarah and Kate Hanwell. He is also survived by three sisters, Dorothy Earnest of Arlington, Virginia, Carolyn Rogers and her husband Don of Huntersville, NC, and Lynda Fanning of Charlottesville, Virginia; three nieces, Jennifer Marshall, Rebekah Canu, and Leah Fanning; and his nephew, Brock Fanning and their families. Donations may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org. or to a church or charity of your choice.