CHINA GROVE – Grover Winford “Pete” Earnhardt, 85, formerly of China Grove and a resident of Autumn Care Nursing Home, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, at Rowan Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.

Born May 2, 1921, in Stanly County, Mr. Earnhardt was a son of the late Burval and Ida Holt Earnhardt. He attended Rowan County schools and later Rowan Tech. He retired from China Grove Cotton Mill after 51 years of service as a master mechanic in the machine shop.

Mr. Earnhardt was a lifelong member of South China Grove Baptist Church, where he was a former deacon, Sunday School member and sound technician for various church events.

Preceding him in death were his wife of 57 years, Carrie Smith Earnhardt, on March 20, 1999; son Ted L. Earnhardt on April 4, 1999; brothers James, Otho and Junior “Tunky” Earnhardt; and sister Agnes Earnhardt.

Survivors include his daughter, Myra Jolly, and husband Murray of Salisbury; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Service: 2 p.m. Wednesday at South China Grove Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Derald Adams, former pastor. The body will lie in-state 30 minutes prior the service. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.

Visitation: 7-8:30 tonight at Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home, China Grove. The remainder of the time, the family will be at the home of his daughter.

Memorials: The family asks that memorial contributions be made in Mr. Earnhardt’s name to Grover Earnhardt Memorial Fund, South China Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 163, China Grove, NC 28023.