Stephen Earl Fisher, Sr., was born on May 21, 1954, in New Bern, NC, to the late Frederick Melvin Fisher, Sr. and Anna Louise Wynn Fisher. He was called home to be with the Lord on April 11, 2026.

Earl grew up in New Bern, NC, where he was educated at St. Joseph’s Catholic School and graduated from New Bern High School in 1971. He was a three-sport athlete, excelling in basketball, football, and baseball. On the football field, he was known as “Golden Hands” due to his skill as a wide receiver. He was also regarded as one of the strongest left-handed pitchers of his day.
Earl met the love of his life, Mozella Marie Marshall, at just 16 years old while they were at mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. From that moment, he knew he wanted to spend his life with her. The two were married on June 30, 1974, and they went on to build a lifetime together.
A family man through and through, Earl had a unique relationship with everyone in his family. He often gave them nicknames such as Slim Pickins, Kid Curl/Kid Perm (if you know, you know), Min. Joe Smooth, Dookie, Little Man, Cookie Monster, Skeeter, and so many more. Whoever you were, Earl made you feel special. One of Earl’s most beloved roles was being a Pop Pop. He cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved being there for them in every way possible. Whether it was picking them up from school, introducing them to new music, or helping to train them up in the way they should go, his presence was a large part of their lives.

Earl loved Jesus and he loved his church family at Shabach Outreach Ministries Christian Church. He took pride in his role as “The Chip Man”, a role he created when he realized how hungry the kids were after service. For decades, you could find him in the back-right corner of the church, making sure the kids had chips after every service. Even if he was absent, he ensured they were taken care of. There were even a few adults who patiently waited in line. Earl was a man of few words, but he watched over his word to perform it. As a man of faith, he was grateful and humbled that God chose him to be a servant in the Kingdom of God. Giving was his living; he gave often to whoever was in need. As an intercessor and marriage retreat prayer leader, it blew his mind that God had chosen him to pray for couples who would minister at Shabach’s annual marriage retreat.

Earl had no interest in learning technology and couldn’t text on his flip phone, but he had his own “newsletter”- a weekly roundup of sales from local grocery stores. He was adamant about getting physical copies of the weekly sales papers so someone could text out “Bro. Earl’s Weekly Sales.” He was also a math whiz. You could tell him your salary or hourly rate, and he’d calculate your take-home pay, almost to the penny, without ever touching a calculator. It’s no wonder he skipped first grade! Earl was also a man of routine; every night from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, he never missed World News Tonight with David Muir, Jeopardy!, and Wheel of Fortune, and he ended each evening with Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Earl was preceded in death by his parents Frederick Melvin Fisher, Sr. and Anna Louise Wynn Fisher; two sisters: Marilyn Regina Fisher and Frances Renee Adams; and one brother Kenneth Paul Fisher. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 51 years Mozella Fisher; six children: Tony Marshall-Fisher (Sharon), Tiffany Scarlett (Cedrick), Stephen Fisher, Jr. (Elisa), Domonique Fisher, Candice Webb (Linwood), and Jennifer Johnson (Nicholas); two special daughters: Andrea Phillips (Otto) and DeWanda Fisher; twenty-two grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one brother: Frederick Fisher (Shirley); three sisters:Joan Sidberry (Michael), Natalie Fisher, and Catherine Sconyers (Clarence), and a host of sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, church family, and friends. Earl’s death has left a profound hole in so many lives. Words cannot express how deeply he’ll be missed, but his legacy of love will live on in the lives and hearts of his children, grandchildren, and all those who love him.

Public Viewing: Thursday, April 16, 2026
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Holloway Memorial Funeral Home Inc | 2502 NC Hwy 55 Durham NC 27713

Funeral Arrangements:
Saturday, April 18, 2026 | Funeral: 1:00pm

Place of Service: Markham Chapel Baptist Church | 3630 Chapel Hill Road Durham NC 27707

Interment: Glennview Memorial Park

Send an encouraging word to the family to express your condolences.

"We do not own copyrights to the background music."