Link, Earnest Allen

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Earnest Allen “Hooty” Link, 88, of Newport departed this life on Wednesday, August 11 at home. He was born in Newport, Virginia on October 24, 1932, a son of the late Ernest L. and Etta Viar Link.

He graduated from Newport High School in 1949, and served in the Army at Fort Eustis from 1953 to 1955, achieving the rank of Sergeant. After serving his country, he worked in the Parts Department at Christiansburg Motors which became Homer Cox Ford. He retired after 43 years as the Parts Manager. He was a life-long and devoted member of Sherry Memorial Christian Church serving as elder, Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher and more.

Never one to sit still, he could be found most days out on his farm, cutting wood, spraying weeds or just observing nature. He was always willing to help a friend or neighbor when the need arose. For many years he was the “go to” person in the community when they needed a car repair, spending many hours in his garage. He was a tinkerer and loved all things mechanical. He was a collector of family and community history and enjoyed sharing stories he had heard told about the old families of the area. He also liked metal detecting and spending time at the cabin on Fork Mountain. He was a gentle, kind-hearted soul.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Russell Link. He leaves behind his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Vaught Link; his son and daughter-in-law, Roger Allen and Roxanna East Link; his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and John Herr, and his beloved grandson, Benjamin Allen Herr. He also leaves a brother, David Link (Doris) and his sisters Beulah Link Epling and Jean Link Porterfield, several cousins and a host of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Sherry Memorial Christian Church with Pastor Stuart Davis and Eddie Kendall officiating. Funeral services will conclude at the Ernest Lang Cemetery in Newport with Military honors given for his service. Family will receive friends at the Kendall Funeral Home Chapel Friday, August 13, 2021 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

A guestbook is available by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home are honored to be serving the Link family.