Arkansas. They were avid members of the First Baptist Church of Bull Shoals and Earl served as a Deacon for several years. In 2014 they moved to Tipton to live out their later years in the home of their daughter, Patti (Henry) Husemann. Earl and Grace became members of the Cedar Street Baptist Church, Tipton; which they called their new 'church home'. He was also a member of the American Legion. In the final months of Grace's life, Earl was admired for his daily visits and undying love while she was at Cedar Manor Nursing Home. After her death, Earl enjoyed socializing with church members at the Tipton Family Restaurant on Wednesdays, waffle breakfast at the Tipton Senior Citizens Park on Thursdays, his cup of decaf coffee at Hardee's in the afternoons and occasional pie and coffee at the Tipton Assisted Living Center. When Earl was diagnosed with lung cancer in mid-June, he opted to receive immunotherapy and radiation so he could 'have a little more time to get to know his first great grandchild Vivienne in hopes that she would remember him'. Earl is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Patricia (Henry) Husemann of Tipton; adopted children, Debbie (Rick) Woods of Flippin, Arkansas and Ronald Stoner of Bull Shoals, Arkansas; grandchildren, Robert Jr, Dustin, Violet (Drew) Mullen, Bridger, Elizabeth and Emmarie Husemann; and his first great grandchild Vivienne Mullen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Rosean McDonald (Graham) LIghtner; wife, Grace Viola (Sanders) Lightner; son, Richard Paul Lightner; sisters, Marion G. Reffner, Elizabeth G. Lovis, Rosella G. Stanks, Mattie G. Lightner; and brother, Albert B. Lightner.