Earl Cox Register, 87, of Watha passed peacefully from his earthly life on Friday, March 13, 2015 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice LifeCare Center.

He was born May 23, 1927 in Craven County, the son of the late James Clinton and Eula Mae Cox Register. Also remembered are his sisters, Charlotte R. Cummings and Sarah R. Crickmore, both who preceded Earl in death.

Earl is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Jeanette Garriss Register; daughter, Victoria "Vicki" Mills (Phil); son, James Earl Register; five nieces and nephews who Earl and Jeanette loved as their own, Geraldine Jones (Danny), Richard R. DeBose (Sheila), David F. DeBose (Nancy), Patricia J. DeBose and Kenneth A. DeBose (Gloria); twelve grandchildren, Phillip E. Mills III, Nicholas Earl Mills, Paula D. Bradshaw, Gail D. Georgescu, Jacob A. DeBose, Susan J. Clayton, Jonathan D. Jones, Kristina P. Davis, Alicia D. Wallace, Elizabeth D. Boyle, Susannah D. Lee and Victoria DeBose; eleven great grandchildren, Nyla J. Mills, Patrick Bradshaw, Adam Georgescu, Samantha Sholar, Ava Wallace, Sadie Wallace, Taylor Jones, Thomas Jones, Josephine Boyle and Jeanette Boyle; many nieces, nephews and extended family, all who dearly loved Earl.

When Earl was in the 5th grade his family moved to the Penderlea community and established a dairy farm through the Penderlea Work Project. Serving his country proudly in the aviation part of the US Navy, Earl began a life long love for flying. A great achievement in Earl's life was earning his private pilot's license and owning his own plane. For 40 years he maintained a career of truck driving, most of which was long distance hauling. He was a member of Watha Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church. Earl always had time for his beloved family and was not only a wonderful husband, daddy, granddaddy, but a generous friend to many. Earl enjoyed all of God's nature and especially enjoyed hunting. His faith in God, his zest for life, his everlasting gift of love and sharing will always be remembered.

The family will receive friends 7 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw. Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Watha United Methodist Church Cemetery with The Rev. William Mears and The Rev. David DeBose officiating. Casketbearers will be Phillip E. Mills III, Nicholas E. Mills, Jonathan Jones, Patrick Bradshaw, Jacob DeBose, Tino Georgescu, and Roger Bradshaw.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting "Memory Wall" above.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Burgaw.
The family will receive friends 7 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw. Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday at Watha United Methodist Church Cemetery with The Rev. William Mears and The Rev. David DeBose officiating.