Robert Lee Early, Jr.

Trustee Robert Lee Early, Jr. 54 of Chase City, VA entered eternal rest Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Community Memorial Healthcenter, South Hill, VA. Trustee Early was born in Galax, Virginia July 2, 1957, to the late Robert Lee Early, Sr. and Faye B. Early. In 1976, Trustee Early graduated from Prince Edward County High School. He attended Southside Virginia Community College (Alberta Campus) for two years. At an early age, he was baptized at Mercy Seat Baptist Church in Meherrin, Virginia. He remained a member until joining the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Chase City, Virginia. It is there that he served as a Trustee. He began his career as a Corrections Officer at Deep Meadow Correctional Center. Later he assisted in the opening on Nottaway Correctional Center. Trustee Early then managed security staff at Baskerville Correctional Unit #4, after its expansion. He then managed security staff at Mecklenburg Correctional Center during its renovation and mission as a Reception Center. Trustee Early was a Corrections Major at three facilities, Mecklenburg Correctional Center, Powhatan Correctional Center, and Brunswick Correctional Center. Trustee Early prided himself on his many experiences within the Department of Corrections. He served as Security Supervisor for over 28 years. During this time, he also served as a Hearing Officer, a Strike Force Leader, and an Institutional Training Officer. In 2008, after 31 years of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, Major Early retired from the Department of Corrections. Trustee Early was a licensed realtor. He was also the proprietor of Tisdale’s Deluxe Dry Cleaners. Trustee Early was preceded in death by his father, Robert Lee Early Sr., and well as his sister Denise Early Ghee. Cherishing his memories are his wife, Kathy Lewis Early of Chase City, Virginia; a son, Keenan S. Early and daughter-in-law of Aldan, Pennsylvania; a son, Robert Lee Early, III of Chase City, Virginia; his mother, Faye Beamer Early of La Plata, Maryland; a sister, Carolyn Coles, of La Plata, Maryland; and a host of nieces, nephews, a great niece, great nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Funeral services for Trustee Robert L. Early, Jr. will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Chase City, VA with Rev. Dr. Ricky A. and Pamela Lee conducting the service. Burial will follow in Thyne Memorial Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Chase City, VA. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 7 P.M. at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chase City, VA.