Earl Lewis Dennis

Earl Lewis Dennis, 87, beloved Father, Husband, Grandfather, Brother and Uncle, was called to his eternal resting place on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020. He made his first appearance on January 19, 1933, in Erwin, NC, born to Bascom Wade Dennis and Flossie Rebecca Dennis, of NC. He is predeceased by his nine siblings: Fred, Lonnie, Vernell, Bill, Lawrence, Wilbert, Doris, Oscar and Hubert.

He married his precious high school sweetheart, Edna Mae Avery Dennis, on July 27, 1952, and she survives him after 68 years of marriage. Earl is survived by their three children: daughter, Teresa Kay Dennis Cummings-Rogers, of Santa Fe, NM (married to William Rogers; daughters, Jessica Dawn Cummings and Coree Rogers); son, Gary Lane Dennis, of Tulsa, OK; children, Justin Dennis, Christina Hartley Shannon, Daniel Hartley & James Hartley); and son, Jason Mark Dennis, of Owasso, OK (married to Jaclyn; sons, Wyatt, Weston & Wrett). Earl is also survived by several wonderful great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Earl retired from the Air Force in 1972; and two years later, he completed his Bachelor of Administration Degree. Earl also subsequently retired from Abbott Laboratories, Living Faith Fellowship Church, Oral Roberts University and finally, from The Inn at Jarrett Farm (where he was the perfect "Maitre D," greeting guests for a 5-star dinner). He was a consummate Southern gentleman - kind, respectful, dedicated, loyal, patient and hard-working. Earl, aka "Denny" to some, had a passion for music, and enjoyed playing his guitar and singing with family and friends. Earl and Edna, and then their daughter, Teresa, sang together for several years in their churches. He loved old westerns, war movies and anytime he could pet a furry critter. He put his faith and family first, and delighted all with his dry sense of humor and jokes.

Earl had been slowly deteriorating from Advanced Dementia for several years. We are thankful to the wonderful Home Hospice workers, nurses, doctors and Hospice Chaplain, as well as our loving family friend, Marian, who helped with Earl's fight for life and dignity right up to his last breath. We especially are so grateful to our brother, Gary Dennis, for all the sacrifices and excellent 24-hour care he has given both Edna and Earl the past year and a half.

Earl and Edna are survived by their daughter, Teresa Kay Dennis Cummings-Rogers and her husband, William Rogers, of Santa Fe, NM; their son, Gary Lane Dennis, of Tulsa, OK; and their son, Jason Mark Dennis and his wife, Jaclyn Hargrove Dennis, of Owasso, OK; Earl and Edna's grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Jessica Cummings, Coree Rogers, Christina Shannon, Daniel Hartley, James Hartley, Justin Dennis, Wyatt Dennis, Weston Dennis, Wrett Dennis, Andrea Cummings Vardell and Greg Cummings, Edna's sister, Irona Avery Williams, of Dunn, NC; and a host of adoring great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins.