James Earl Maupin

James Earl Maupin, 75, passed away September 23, 2010 in his home of Cleveland, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas D. and Flora M. Maupin, and his dear beloved wife, Betty Faye Maupin.

Earl was born in Bradley County, TN. He lived his entire life in and around the Cleveland area. A graduate of Bradley Central High School, Earl excelled in baseball, performing as a star pitcher. He continued his love for baseball as referee for area teams in Cleveland and Chattanooga. As a strong supporter of the Atlanta Braves, he continued to cheer them on up until his death.

Earl was a member of Washington Avenue Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a retiree from Specialty Chemicals in Cleveland. He was also a self taught meteorologist, and proved himself efficient at predicting the weather by his accurate study of cloud formation and wind velocity and direction. Earl was also a lover of animals and enjoyed caring for a menagerie of animals in his later years including multiple breeds of fowl, exotic and farm animals, and homeless and rescued dogs.

Surviving loved ones include one brother, Wendell H. (Jane) Maupin of Cleveland, TN; four sisters, Jean M. Doyle of Hixson, TN, Shirley M. Lewis of Chattanooga, TN, Carolyn M. Chewning of Murfreesboro, TN and Debbie M. (Steve) Wetzel of Ringgold, GA. Earl was the father of four children including Kristie Maupin of Chattanooga, TN, Mike Maupin of Cleveland, Tammy Creasman of Cleveland, and Alisha Shoptaw of Phoenix, AZ and was the proud grandpaw of five grandchildren, Justin, Jacob, Caleb, Kaitlen and Seth.

Earl will be sadly missed by his second family, wife Trecia Watson Maupin of Cleveland; step children Shannon Haney and Ken Murphy; step grandchild Amanda (Mike) Dorsey; and step great-grandchildren Caden and Alaysia.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Grissom Funeral Home with Rev. Blaine Phillips, a close family friend, officiating. Shannon Haney and Ken Murphy, Earls stepchildren will provide the singing and music. Interment will follow in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery-Massengil Section off of Blue Springs Road. A Dove Release Ceremony will complete the service. Steve Wetzel, Aaron Maupin, Coy Maupin, Tom Conway, Steve Conway, and Mike Dorsey will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. To send an online condolence to the family, visit www.grissomfh.net.