Ida Martha Earnest, 94, passed away Sun. Jan. 20, 2013 at the Brandon Court Nursing Home in Brandon, MS. Visitation will be held at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS on Tues. Jan. 22, 2013 from 5pm.-8pm. and on Wed. Jan. 23, 2013 from 1pm.-2pm. at the Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus, MS. Funeral Services are 2pm. on Wed. Jan. 23, 2013 at Memorial Funeral Home with burial to follow in the Friendship Cemetery.
Mrs. Earnest was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years. She retired after teaching many years in the Columbus, MS Public School System. Mrs. Earnest leaves a great legacy in all the young lives touched by her sweet Christian testimony. Prior to moving to Brandon she and her husband had been active members of First Baptist Church in Columbus, MS where she was a very faithful volunteer in the library ministry of the church.
She is survived by her two sons, Farley Earnest (Jane) of Brandon, MS and Larry Earnest (Charlotte) of Leeds, AL; four grandchildren, Kevin Earnest (Rachel) of Hernando, MS, Suzanne Graham (Nathan) of Nashville, TN, Brent Earnest (Cara) of Moody, AL and Kayla Galloway (Grady) of Springville, AL. She is also survived by her eight great-grandchildren. Mrs. Earnest is preceded in death by her husband, Nathan Vernon “Red” Earnest; her parents, Walter and Allie Farley and her sister, Nellie Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to Love In Deed Ministry, First Baptist Church in Columbus, MS or the Annie Armstrong Mission Fund, Brandon Baptist Church in Brandon, MS.