Obituary of Earl M. Kuykendall

BARNARDSVILLE – Earl M. Kuykendall, age 86, of Barnardsville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Monday, August 9, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. Kuykendall was born February 11, 1935, in Rutherfordton, to the late James Phillip and Minnie Wilson Kuykendall.  During his life, Earl worked in farming, and textile manufacturing until he retired.  Earl loved gardening and was always tending his vegetable garden.  He was a member of Vance Lodge #293 A.F. & A.M. and Blackmer #170 A.F. & A.M.   He was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Vance 285.  Earl was a devoted Deacon at Paint Fork Freewill Baptist Church. 

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Kuykendall; daughter, Deborah Kuykendall Rhodes, two unborn children; and siblings, Curtis Kuykendall, Naomi Hannon, and Joyce Hutchins.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Kathy Harris, Phillip Kuykendall and wife Christina, Keith Kuykendall, Karen Holcombe and husband Jody; son-in-law, Alan Rhodes and wife Crystal; brother, Daniel Kurkendall; twelve grandchildren, Alaina Robinson and husband Miles, Alicia Rhodes, Nathaniel Rhodes and fiancé’ Sara, Robby Harris, Bayleigh Fox and husband Tyler, Jackson Kuykendall, Chelsey Kuykendall, Bryan Kuykendall, Jordan Holcombe and wife Bridget, Jacob Holcombe and fiancé Makensie, Jerrad Holcombe, Jonah Holcombe; six great grandchildren, Kyrsten, Miles, Raven, Blayze, Tensley, and Henry; and two very special best friends, Lane Baker and Joe Brigman.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 13, 2021, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville. Reverends Larry Coates and Petty Burnette will officiate. Masonic Rites will be conducted. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, Asheville.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 12, 2021, at West Funeral Home.

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Kuykendall’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.