On Friday, Jan. 17, Earl Randolph Fariss, 84 of Farmville, passed away with his family by his side. Earl was born on Feb. 26, 1940, in Dillwyn, to the late Lacy Fariss and Christine Fariss Martin. 

After graduating from Farmville High School in 1958, Earl proudly served in the United States Army. When he returned home, Earl worked for the Virginia Department of Transportation and then for AT&T as a communications technician. He retired from AT&T in 2002 after 37 years of service. Earl had a deep love for the outdoors and spent nearly every day at “the shop,” where he nurtured his garden, tended to his honey bees and cared for his plants. He grew beautiful flowers and enjoyed harvesting honey, which he generously shared with others. Earl loved to share his passions with others and was always happy to give a tour of the property and talk about his latest projects or his favorite stories from his past. He found joy in hunting, fishing, and hosting cookouts, creating cherished memories with family and friends that will be treasured for years to come. 

Earl is survived by his wife of 59 years, Janice Thompson Fariss of Farmville; his children, Amy Bowman (Danny), Todd Fariss (Jody) and Gavin Fariss (Jessica), all of Farmville; his grandchildren, Jeffrey Fariss and Nicholas Fariss, both of Farmville; and his siblings, Peggy Emert of Prospect, Vicky Oakes of Rice, Tommy Martin of Farmville and Linda Stamat of North Carolina. 

His family will remember him as a charismatic, ambitious, intelligent, hardworking and resilient man and they will miss him dearly. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

If you would like to make a memorial donation in honor of Earl, please consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project. 

Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com.