Earl Lee Edmondson 89, formerly from Suffolk, passed away Jan. 28, 2015. He was a native of Chicago, Ill., and the son of the late William Joseph and Iva Pearl Davis Edmondson of Craddock.

He was preceded in death by four of his siblings, William Edmondson, Juanita Edmondson Shepard, Wanda Edmondson Swain and Gerald Edmondson Eddins; and his former wife of 13 years, Mary Loy. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of nine years, Lenora Edmondson; his sister, Irene Edmondson Grimstead; his three children, Richard Earl Edmondson, wife Elysia, Laura Edmondson Solomon, husband Bob and Janice Edmondson Locher, husband Michael. He is also survived by grandchildren, William Edmondson, Andrew Edmondson, Christopher Locher, Arden Locher, Hunter Locher and his stepchildren, Craig Demchak, Lynn Kidd, Matthew Loy, Mark Loy and families; and his former wife of 30 years and the mother of his children, Ernestine Edmondson.

Earl served in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from RPI and Michigan State before beginning his career in the food industry. He founded Central Food Service in Suffolk in 1960. It relocated in 1973 to Kempsville Road in Chesapeake, where it became Central Meats and is still a prospering family business today.

Earl shared his love of God with people through many years of community service. He worked hard and played hard. His smile and laughter were contagious. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Interment will take place at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk, VA 23434, on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed in Earl’s memory to Gilchrist Hospice Care, 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350, Hunt Valley, MD 21030.