LOUISBURG - Earl Howard Tharrington, 80, of Louisburg, died Tuesday morning.

Earl was a son of the late Buddie and Lizzie Smith Tharrington. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Herman, Perry, and Raymond Tharrington.

Earl was a devoted member and deacon of Mountain Grove Baptist Church. He was a former member of the Louisburg Fire Department and then went on to be a member and retired from the Gold Sand Fire Department. He was the former Chief of the Louisburg Police Department and then was Chief of Security for Louisburg College. He then worked for the NC Department of Corrections until his retirement. After his retirement, he was an Assistant Sergeant of Arms for the NC General Assembly, and was also a bailiff for the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.

Earl was a loving husband, daddy, granddaddy and brother. He loved all people and was a great friend to many; he encouraged and lifted people with his great laugh.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at Mountain Grove Baptist Church with the Reverend Daren Smart officiating. Burial will follow in the Bobbitt Family Cemetery.

Earl is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Cindy Tharrington; sons and daughters-in-law, Tony and Frannie Tharrington of Raleigh; Greg Tharrington of Louisburg; Daniel and Ashlie Tharrington of Mount Gilead; Matthew and Amy Tharrington of Louisburg; brother, Wade Tharrington of Butner; sisters and brother-in-law, Rachel Tharrington of Raleigh; Patricia and Wayne Bobbitt of Louisburg; sisters-in-law, Pat Tharrington of Louisburg; Hazel Tharrington of Raleigh; grandchildren, Taylor, Madelyn, Vada Grace, Leslie and Colt Tharrington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Grove Baptist Church, 834 Alert Rd., Louisburg, NC 27549.

The family will receive friends 7 - 8:30 p.m. Friday at Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, www.stricklandfuneralhome.net.