Newman Earl Denney, 91, passed away Thursday, May 21, 2015 following an extended illness.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 pm Sunday, May 24, 2015 at Lakewood Baptist Church with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Dr. Tom Smiley and Dr. Jerry Gill will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Saturday, May 23, 2015 at the funeral home.
Earl was born on April 11, 1924 in Carrollton, Georgia, one of seven children, to the late Newman Edgar Denney and Willie Myrt Shadinger Denney. After graduating from Roopville High School, he joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as the signalman on the U.S.S. McFarland in the South Pacific during World War II. He returned to Carrollton after his discharge and married the love of his life, Barbara McLendon on March 17, 1946. Earl studied Architecture at Southern Tech in Marietta, Georgia, then moved to Smyrna, Georgia where he and Barbara lived for over 30 years while Earl worked at Lockheed as a Tool Planner. While in Smyrna, Earl served as Deacon at King Springs Baptist Church for a number of years. There they raised their family.
After retirement in 1985, Earl and Barbara moved to Gainesville and became active members of Lakewood Baptist Church. They enjoyed gardening, camping, traveling, and playing with their grandchildren. They shared 65 years before Barbara lost her short battle with cancer in April, 2011.
In addition to his parents and Barbara, Earl was preceded in death by his sister, Vivian Rogers, and brothers, Wilford Denney, Max Denney, Felton Denney, and Jimmy Denney. He is survived by his daughter, Gail (Terry) Mathews of Savannah, and sons, Chris (Jackie) Denney of Gainesville; Mark (Susan) Denney of Smyrna; sister, Eris Muse of Carrollton, nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
For those who desire donations may be made in Earl’s memory to Lakewood Baptist Church 2235 Thompson Bridge Road Gainesville, Georgia 30501.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia 30501. 770-297-6200
