January 10, 2026, 87, Mount Olive – James Earl Whitley, Sr., 87, passed away quietly at his home on Saturday morning, with his family by his side. Better known as “Earl’, he is survived by his wife of 65 years; Doris Myers Whitley; their daughter, Lisa W. Whitfield and husband Jeff, of Mount Olive; and their son, James Earl Whitley, Jr., and his wife Dawn, also of Mount Olive; their grandchildren, Khrystal W. Sayer, and her husband, Rusty of Four Oaks, Zachary S. Whitfield, and his wife Samantha of Mount Olive, and James Earl Whitley, III., and his wife Ella of Dudley; great-grandchildren, Adaline and Payton Sayer, Paisley Whitfield, and Fisher Whitley; a brother, Bruce Whitley of Middlesex, NC; and two sisters, Linda Joyner of Rocky Mount, and Judy Connie and husband, Eddie, of Bunn, NC.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents; Leamon and Bertha Earp Whitley; and siblings, Geraldine White, and Carroll Whitley.
Earl started his plumbing career with Hasty Plumbing and later branched out on his own to establish Earl Whitley Plumbing, Inc., where he tirelessly worked his business from the ground up. His determination and hard worked was evident by all who knew Earl. As an early riser, Earl would start most mornings before daylight to get a jump on all the jobs that needed to be completed. Whether it was a new construction job, or making service calls to fix and repair a leak; Earl was ready. His son James, and daughter Lisa also worked alongside their daddy in the family business, as well as his very own two grandsons.
Earl also served on the Mount Olive Fire Department and had retired with over 20 years of service. Doris and Earl both enjoyed worshiping at Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church for many years together.
Funeral services will be held at the Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church on Monday evening, January 12 at 7p.m., with his pastor, Jeff Dail officiating. A time of visitation will begin prior to the service at 5:30 and last until 6:45. Burial will be held on Tuesday afternoon, in the Maplewood Cemetery at 2 o’clock. Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be sent to the church, or to Mount Olive Fire Department.
