Amos Wailon Earwood, known as “Papa” by family, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, June 6, 2023. Wailon was born on May 16, 1936, to his parents, Amos J. Earwood and Mary Frances.
After graduating high school, Wailon served as a reserve in the Marines for 8 years while also completing college courses at St. Bernard College and the University of Alabama Birmingham. Wailon worked as a Weight and Balance Engineer at Hayes International and at Redstone Arsenal for Brown Engineering, co-contractor to NASA. Wailon owned and operated Earwood Nursery alongside his lifelong sweetheart, Betty Paschal, of whom he married on June 14, 1955. Wailon and Betty shared a loving marriage of 68 years, selflessly serving their family, community, and one another.
Besides his deep devotion to his wife and family, Wailon’s greatest passion was winning souls for Christ. He became a Gideon in 1975; served as a faithful member of Longview Church of God where he was a diligent student and teacher of the Word; and mentored in prison ministry for 10 years.
Wailon was cherished by many, but especially beloved by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Wailon Earwood is predeceased by his parents, Amos J. and Dot Earwood, and Frances Kessler; his daughter, Sherry Montgomery; his brother, Robbie Lee Earwood; and his sister, Mary Gail Robinson.
Wailon is survived by his wife, Betty Paschal Earwood; his daughter, Susan Reid; his son-in-law, Dennis Reid; and his grandchildren: John and Alaina Reid; Adam and Laura Reid; Katie Montgomery Mickissick; Sarah and Jason Bell; Marc Montgomery; and Alicia Montgomery. He is also survived by his sister, Glenda Earwood; his great-grandchildren, whom he adored and loved to tease: Jeremy and Anna Reid; Jacob Reid; Jackson Reid; Laila-Kate Reid; Braeden Patterson; Lilly Patterson; Audrey Morrison; Robbie Morrison; Anna Morrison; Elijah Morrison; Kristian Averetta; Lizzy Averetta; and Abby Averetta; and by many loving nieces and nephews.
Services for Wailon Earwood will be performed by Pastor Darrel Allen at Longview Church of God on Sunday, June 11, at 1:30 p.m.; interment in Ebenezer Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Wailon’s honor to The Gideons International to purchase Gideon bibles.
The family would like to offer sincere gratitude and thanks to Wailon’s nurses, Joy and Jennifer, who not only cared for “Papa,” but became members of the Reid family, as well.
