Earl Jobe was born August 14, 1906 in Paragould, Arkansas, the first child born to Sam "Fonnie" Jobe of Faulkner Co., Arkansas and Hattie Louella McFarland of Malden, Missouri. Earl's siblings were: Bertha born 1908 and died 1910; Lawrence Jobe, born March 28, 1911; Clarence Jobe, born April 18, 1914; Vertie May Jobe, born February 24, 1919; Audie Bell Jobe, born January 4, 1922; Guy Jobe, born June 8, 1924 and Carl Jobe, born in March, 1928 and passed away in August of that same year.
Earl was a farmer all his life, farming in Greene Co. and Mississippi Co., Arkansas from the time he was a teenager.
In 1925 at the age of 18 years of age, he met and married Lois Magnolia Branch, daughter of Joseph Samuel Branch and Sarah Frances Thomason. Lois was born March 10, 1907. Her mother, Sarah Frances, died in 1918 when Lois was but a child of 11 years of age. Lois had a sister, Bernice, and four brothers: Hilary, Jeff, Grayson and Alva, all of Paragould. Lois and Earl exchanged their vowels in the home of Bun McDonald near Paragould.
While living in the Paragould area after their marriage, Earl assisted his father-in-law, Joe Branch, on his farm. Their first child, Myrgatha (called Marty), was born in 1926 followed by Wanda Bernice (named after Lois' sister, Bernice) in 1927. One more child was born before the stock market crash of 1929, Imogene (Jean). In 1931 while still struggling through the Great Depression and still living in the Paragould area, Venetta, was born.
By 1933-1934 he and Lois moved on to Mississippi County where they welcomed their fifth child and their first son with great joy, Waylen Earl. In 1937, another son, Jacky, was brought into the world. Surely, Earl, who came from a family of 5 boys and 2 girls, thought he would have many more boys but it wasn't to happen. Jack’s entrance into the world was followed by Bobbie in 1941; Sondra in 1945; Judith in 1947 and Beverly Jane in 1948. Earl and Lois were loving and patient parents to their children. They were hardworking people, and their children received plenty of religion 2-3 times a week. They were taught hard work, honesty, fair play and imprinted with good values and morality before they were sent out into the world.
Earl continued farming in the same county for years, rearing his family and living a life of simplicity and peace. In 1965, Earl retired from farming. He and Lois moved to the St. Louis area to be closer to most of the children who had, by that time, moved to St. Louis to pursue their own careers. He stayed in the St. Louis area until 1969 and when persuaded by his son, Brigadier General Waylen E. Jobe, he and Lois made the move to the Springfield area where they could remain in close proximity to Waylen and family. They were in their golden years by this time. Dad took a part-time job at the Air National Guard in Springfield near Waylen's office. From there, they traveled and thoroughly enjoyed their lives. They were members of High Street Baptist Church in Springfield.
1906-1978
In February 1971, Lois went in for long overdue gall bladder surgery. Due to complications and suffering a stroke while in the hospital, she passed from this earth on February 9, 1971. Earl remained in the Springfield area until his death from respiratory disease complications on September 25, 1978 at the age of 72 years.
These two people were so deeply loved by each of their children. They taught their children honesty, fair-play, integrity, rewards of hard work, love of God and country. Both he and Lois are buried in Clark's Chapel Cemetery near Paragould, AR...the place where their lives had begun so many years ago.
By: Judith Jobe Raterman, Daughter
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Obit Notice in Springfield Paper
EARL WILLIAM JOBE
Earl Jobe, 73, Route 6, died at 4:30 AM today in St. John's Hospital after a one year illness. Mr. Jobe has lived here since 1970 having moved from Manila, AR. He was a retired farmer, and a member of High Street Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, Waylen of the home and Jacky of St. Charles; eight daughters, Mrs. Marty Davis, Winter Haven, FL; Mrs. Wanda Neeley, Marietta, GA; Mrs. Imogene Bunch, St. Charles; Mrs. Venetta Roberds, Cahokia, IL; Mrs. Bobbie Dowell, Peculiar, MO; Mrs. Sondra Phillips, Joplin, MO; Mrs. Judi Schulte, Bridgeton, MO and Mrs. Jane Barnett, Batesville, AR; a brother, Guy, Burton, MI; two sisters, Mrs. Audie Wheaton, Channahon, IL and Mrs. Vertie Williams of Cash, AR; 28 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Arrangements will be announced by Ralph Thieme.
Additional Notice in Paper
Mr. Earl Jobe, 73, Route 6, died at 4:30 AM Monday in St. John's Hospital after a one year illness. Services will be at 1:30 PM Wednesday in Mitchell Chapel, Paragould, AR. Burial will be in Clark's Chapel Cemetery there under direction of Ralph Thieme. The family will be in the funeral home from 7-9 tonight.
Death Certificate: Respiratory insufficiency due to spontaneous pneumothorax of lung, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lymphoma of the lung.
Photo of headstone and death certificate are in family records.
Date of birth on headstone is incorrect and should read 1906. See 1910 census for verification