Nell Toney Earley

Nell Toney Earley, age 90 of Forest City, died Monday, December 28, 2020 at Fairhaven Home, Bostic.  Nell was born May 6, 1930 to her parents, the late Yates and Lona McFarland Toney and was a graduate of Sunshine High School in the Class of 1948.  Growing up on a dairy farm, she learned early the value of hard work and family.   In 1948 she married James Russell Earley, Sr and moved to Forest City where she became a member of the First Baptist Church of Forest City.  There she was a member of the Sanctuary Choir and was a former Sunday School teacher and volunteered in the church office until her health no longer permitted her to attend. 

Nell worked for many years in the Clerk’s office for the Town of Forest City and later in the Finance Office for the Rutherford County Schools where she retired in 1995.  She had also worked for several years at Belk’s Department Store at the Tri-City Mall, a job she genuinely enjoyed. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Earley, Sr in 1989, her brother, Forrest Y. Toney, and sisters, Ruth T. Newton, Margaret T. Jonas, and Doris T. Horton. 

Survivors include her sons, James R. ( Jim) Earley and wife Norma of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, J. Shane Earley and wife Kerrie of Forest City, a grandson, J. Cameron Earley and wife Sarah, and a great-granddaughter, Elizabeth all of Ellenboro, her brother, Hubert L.Toney and wife Rita of Kings Mountain, NC and a sister, Barbara T. Toms and husband, John of Shelby.  There are also a number of nieces and nephews.

A service from the graveside will be held at 2 o’clock Sunday, January 3, 2021 in the Cool Springs Cemetery. 

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Fairhaven Home of Bostic for the wonderful care and love they have shown in caring for our mother as well as her home caregivers who allowed her to live independently at home.  There are no words to adequately express our sincerest gratitude for their care.  

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 211 West Main Street, Forest City, North Carolina 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.