Mary Jo "Jody" Mccall Earnest

Jody Earnest, 85, passed away May 31, 2023, at Lakeland Regional Hospital.

Jody was born April 8, 1938, in Jenkins, KY to Johnny Spradlyn and Marie Bellamy. She was raised in Bristol TN, the second of four sisters. She graduated from Tennessee High and then attended Western Kentucky University, where she was a cheerleader. Later she returned to college completing a BA and Masters of Music Theory.

In 1958 she married Dan McCall, who would become a pastor and Army Chaplain. The family lived in numerous bases in the US and Europe. Together, Jody and Dan raised three daughters and two sons. Dan died in an accident in 2002.

After the loss of her first husband, Jody’s enthusiasm for life was restored when she reacquainted with a friend from childhood, Dr. Ben F. Earnest, Jr., DDS, a retired dentist well established in our Lakeland community. They married on July 2, 2004, and built a loving marriage and a nurturing home for Ben’s adult son, Skip. They enjoyed 19 years of partnership. When Jody developed diabetic complications and Alzheimer’s, Ben became her primary caregiver.

Jody was devoted to her family, her Lord, and the church. She was generous with her time and resources, and she supported many ministries and individuals. At the time of her death, she was an active remote member at First Presbyterian Church, in Lakeland.

Jody enjoyed travel, music and playing piano, writing, time with family and friends, and late in life rarely missed an episode of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ or ‘Jeopardy!’.

A memorial service will be at 2pm on June 8th at First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland, FL 33801. There will also be a celebration of life in Bristol, Tennessee in a few weeks (details to be announced soon).

Jody is survived by her husband, Ben Earnest; children, Debbie McCall, Chris Sichting (John), Joanne Larson (Rod), Dan McCall (Jodi), and James McCall (Denise); step-sons Ed Earnest (Nikki) and Skip Earnest; 24 grand- and step-grand-children; and 24 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us as we celebrate the life and love of Jody M. Earnest.