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Carlton Emery Earnest, 89, of Donalsonville, Ga., passed away Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021, at Ivey Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Ken Cloud officiating. Interment will be at Oak City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com.

Carlton was born in Bainbridge, Ga., the son of Corbett Emery Earnest and Ida Mae Jackson Earnest. He was a graduate of West Bainbridge High School. Carlton served in the U. S. Army and the Georgia National Guard retiring with the rank of Major. He served many years as the golf course superintendent for Bainbridge Country Club and managing the nursery for Cato’s Nursery. He later ran his own nursery, Earnest Nursery. He loved to read, fish, and enjoyed going to Mexico Beach. He especially loved playing with his cat, Sparky.

Survivors include his children, Debra E. Bacon (Marc) of Savannah, Ga., and Buddy Earnest (Beverly) of Bainbridge, Ga.; his brother, Winston Earnest of Donalsonville, Ga.; his grandchildren, Brook Mullis (Robbie), Carrie Wilson, Heather Rogers (William); and his great-grandson, Chip Earnest (Shelby). He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, James Earnest and Charles Earnest.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bainbridge-Decatur County Humane Society, 1250 Cox Avenue, Bainbridge, Ga. 39819.

Ivey Funeral Home, 502 S. Scott Street, Bainbridge, Georgia 39819. (229) 246-3232. www.iveyfuneral.com is in charge of arrangements.