Varnell Man, Cohutta Woman Were Among Victims When Truck Went Out Of Control On Freeway Near Savannah

  • Friday, May 22, 2015

Jerry Earnest, 71, of Varnell, Ga., and 72-year-old Glenda Adams of Cohutta, Ga., were among the victims when a tractor-trailer went out of control on a busy freeway near Savannah, Ga., on Tuesday.

The semi hit two cars before bursting into flames on I-16. Three other people were killed.

Authorities said the driver may have fallen asleep.

Seven vehicles were damaged in the afternoon crash.

The vehicle occupied by Mr. Earnest and Ms. Adams was crushed between the truck that went out of control and another large rig.

The funeral for Mr. Earnest will be Monday at 2 p.m. at the Pleasant Grove Chapel of Julian Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Ronald Guffey officiating. Burial will be in Varnell Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jewel Earnest; mother, Gladys Pauline Fowler Earnest; brother, Herman Earnest; and brother-in-law, Ronald Miller.

Mr. Earnest was an avid golfer and was also awarded the 1976 Mr. Georgia Body Building Champion. 

He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff and Leslie Earnest and Mark and Kendra Earnest, all of Varnell; father, Leon Earnest of Varnell; sister & brother-in-law, Wanda and Dennis Stewart of Cohutta; brother and sister-in-law, George & Linda Earnest of Cohutta; three grandchildren, Alyssa, Annastasia and Audrey Earnest; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 5-9 p.m.

Funeral arrangements are by Julian Peeples Funeral Home, Pleasant Grove Chapel, Dalton.
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