Earnest “Pig” Carden, 76, of Elizabethton, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 11, 2020, from Hermitage Health and Rehab surrounded by his family. Earnest was born in Carter County to the late George Carden and Veona Nave Carden. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his three brothers, Raymond, Donald and Howard Carden, and one sister, Shirley Carden Turner of Michigan.
Earnest was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was of the Baptist faith. He loved listening to bluegrass music, attending the covered bridge festivals, hunting, fishing, camping at the lake and rooting for the Tennessee Vols and Hampton Bulldogs. He raised blue ribbon cantaloupe.
Earnest was a dedicated employee. He worked at North American Rayon Corporation for over 30 years until they closed. He retired from Mapes Piano Strings with a decade of service. He did not fear hard work.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 50 years, Etta Peters Carden; two daughters, Donna Carden and Lisa Ashley and husband Adam; four grandchildren, Brooklynn Ashley, Dawson Boer, Raegan Ashley and Brayden Ashley; and three sisters, Wilma Sanders of Edwardsburg, Mich., Jan Holt and husband Larry and Joy Taylor of Lenoir, N.C. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
A service to honor the life of Earnest “Pig” Carden will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday, January 13, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Nick Colbaugh and Shannon Sims officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday, prior to the service. The family requests that those attending wear Hampton Bulldog or UT Vols attire. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 14, at Nave Cemetery in the Siam Community. Active pallbearers will be Adam Ashley, Brayden Ashley, Dawson Boer, Tim Pierce, Aaron Pierce, Jerry Bowers, Eric Buckles, Phil Strickland, Austin Canter and Tyler Stansbury. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott, Eric, Tony and Keith Carden, Kevin and Tim Turner, Dylan Cook, Jason Taylor, Buck Gentry, Phil Nave, Rick Church, Corey Pierce and Perry White. The family would like to extend a special thank you to his nurses, C.N.A.s and all others who cared for him, as well as his dear friend, Ernest Oliver, who prayed diligently and cared for Earnest while he was at Hermitage. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to their local volunteer fire department, the Carter County Rescue Squad or The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 98018, Washington, DC 20090-8018. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Mr. Carden and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information Line: (423) 543-4917.