Mr. Earl Nelson Gaither departed this life on Thursday, April 14, 2022. He was born in Iredell County, NC on November 10, 1954, a son of the late Alton Alexander Gaither, Sr. and Mary Gray Gaither. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Mr. Horace Alexander Gaither, Sr., Mr. Alton “Buddy” Gaither, Jr., and Mr. Carl Cecil Gaither. Earl graduated from North Iredell High School. His spiritual journey began humbly at Piney Grove A.M.E. Zion Church in Harmony, NC. After moving to High Point, NC, he was employed with JP Stevens and Pruitt Concrete Company. Earl became a faithful member of First Emmanuel Baptist Church, where he served proudly on the usher board until his health declined. Earl had many interests, which include softball, baseball, dancing, and drag racing. He was very artistic and could draw anything you asked him to. Earl leaves to cherish the memory of his life to his wife, Barbara Graham Gaither; two daughters, Cristy Earllandra Cunningham and Unecka Lasha Gaither, both of Yadkinville, NC; two sons, Cory Nelson (Brandy) Gaither, Sr. of Mooresville, NC, and Earl Nelson (Shasta) Gaither, Jr. of Statesville, NC; twelve grandchildren; one great-grandchild; four sisters, Edith Jean Dobbins, Mary Ann (William) Parson, Alma Louise (Kenneth) Reid, and Teresa Gaither Goode; one brother, James Robert (Cathy) Gaither; his parents-in-law, Hilton and Benjane Graham, Jr.; four sisters-in-law, Janice Gaither, Thelma Gaither, Dorothy (John) Sligh, and Myoshia Mason; a brother-in-law, Jerry (Annie) Graham; the mother of his children, Gloria Gaither; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

A special thank you to Dr. Sanders at Hayworth Cancer Center.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at First Emmanuel Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.