Carol Sue Vinson Earnest
1944—2025
Carol Sue Vinson Earnest went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at the Martin County Healthcare Facility.
Born March 9, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the daughter of Nona Harmon Caserta and Auza Vison. She was raised by her grandparents Allen and Hazel Harmon of Hode.
When she turned 18, Carol Sue enlisted in the U.S. Army completing her enlistment before moving to the Air Force Reserves. During this time, she worked at Bronze Shoe in Columbus, Ohio. In the 80s, she moved to Florida with the Air Force Reserves as Master Sergeant at Duke Field, a part of Eglin Air Force Base. Her service took her around the country and occasionally, around the world, but she always made it back to Martin County for the “June Meetin’” Harmon Family Reunion each summer. It was during her time in Florida she met and married the love of her life, fellow Airman Lamar “Bob” Earnest. She retired from the military in 1993, following 29 years of service. After Bob’s passing, Sue decided to return home to Kentucky in 2017. She settled in Debord and was very content in her “little house on the hill.” She attended Freedom Free Will Baptist Church and frequently shared how glad she was to be back home.
Carol Sue is preceded in death by her husband Bob Earnest, grandparents Allen and Hazel Harmon, her parents Nona and Romeo Caserta and Auza and Irene Vinson, her brothers Robert, Albert and Ralph Vinson, her sister-in-law Doris Vinson, her brother-in-law Frank Fioritto, as well as the aunts and uncles with whom she was raised: Allen Harmon Jr., Tom Harmon, Bruce Harmon, Uriah Harmon, Burns Harmon, Ethel Lehman, Ann Harmon, Emma Jo Bowen and Tennie Vance.
She is survived by her sister Michelle Fioritto of Pahrump, Nevada, her aunt Frankie Jean Harmon and uncle Elias Harmon of Columbus, Ohio, as well as her niece Nona (Chris) Newsome of Hode, nephew Tommy (Angela) Vinson of Tomahawk, Sherry (Kelvin) Lozier of Ashville, Ohio, Stephanie King of Mesa, Arizona, Ralph Vinson Jr. Obetz, Ohio, and Kim Conley of Columbus, Ohio, Nick (Brandi) Fioritto, and Tony (Shauna) Fioritto, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Vince Fioritto of Pahrump, Nevada, as well as a host of great-nieces and great-nephews whom she adored. She also leaves behind her dear friend, Pat Adkins.
Carol Sue loved celebrations, throwing parties and hosting dinners. She loved her family and was known for her generous spirit. She collected people and built friendships wherever she went. She most desired that her loved ones remember her with no regrets as her salvation was secure and she looked forward to going home for another family reunion. Carol Sue was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Graveside services were conducted Feb. 22 at the Harmon-Chaffin Cemetery in Hode. Arrangements are under the direction of the Callaham Funeral Home, Inez.