Earl Cordell

Earl Cordell, 85, died Sunday, January 27, 2008, at the V.A. Medical Center after a brief illness. A Carter County native who had lived in Johnson City most of his life, Mr. Cordell was a son of the late Will and Nellie Cordell. He was of the Baptist faith. He worked for many years in his early life as a typesetter for the Johnson City Press Chronicle, the Kingsport Times News, and the Knoxville Sentinel. He was a Sgt in the US Army during WWII and served valiantly in the Normandy, Rhineland, Central Europe, and Ardennes campaigns. For that service, he was awarded, among others, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. However, the pin he most valued was his Infantry Pin because it represented his membership in the 4th Infantry Division he loved so much and the many friendships he made with his fellow foot soldiers. In recent years, Mr. Cordell greatly enjoyed the flea market in Elizabethton where he had a booth and made many friends. When his wife Arline was living they enjoyed this hobby together. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved Ma and Tom Cordell; his wife Arline Cordell; three sisters, Grace Whaley, Anne Prebick, and Camaleen Hughes, and a brother, James 'Bood'? Cordell. Mr. Cordell is survived by two daughters and son-in-laws, Sandi & Roy Hutchison, Columbia, SC, and Kathy & Leon Baker, Piney Flats; two sons, Larry Cordell and Tommy Cordell both of Johnson City; three grandchildren, Eric Baker, Chris Hutchison, and Stacy Cordell; a great grandson, Jonathon Baker, and a newborn great granddaughter, Emma Hutchison. A sister, Mary Cordell, Roan Mountain, and three nieces, Dreama Kelly, Debbie Head, and Connie Holden also survive. A joint graveside committal service for Earl Cordell and his wife Arline, who died in 2006, will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 11:00 AM at Mountain Home National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from among family and friends. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the funeral home for a procession to leave at 10:30 A.M. The Cordell family will receive friends at Morris Baker Funeral Home on Tuesday evening, January 29, 2008 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.