Dr. Earl Alexander Stennis, passed away at Oktibbeha County Hospital on October 22, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was born June 18, 1940 in Meridian, Mississippi. His parents were George Locker and Annie Gene Stennis.
Earl graduated from DeKalb High School in 1958. He joined the United States Army in 1959, serving his country as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. In 1965, he graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics. He was awarded a NDA Fellowship to The University of Tennessee, receiving his Master’s Degree in 1967. In 1969, he received his PhD from Mississippi State University.
After completing his degree, Earl went to work for USDA in Clemson, South Carolina. He returned to Mississippi in 1970 to be President of East Mississippi Junior College (EMCC), serving in this position for three years. In 1973, Earl relocated his family to Starkville to begin teaching and conducting cotton research at Mississippi State University in the Department of Agricultural Economics. In 1982, as a professor, he served as chairman of Robert Belton Holland Memorial Faculty Council. He also authored and co-authored various publications. Earl was asked to serve as a member of the National Commission of Agricultural Trade and Export policy by Robert Dole, Senate Majority Leader; Thomas P. O’Neil, Speaker of the House of Representatives; and Richard E. Lyng, Secretary of Agriculture. In 1992, Dr. Stennis retired from Mississippi State University. However, his retirement did not last long as he accepted a position as Interim Dean at the University of West Alabama, Livingston in 1993. He also served as Interim Dean at the University of Southern Arkansas in 1995. Still not ready to leave academia, he returned to teaching part-time at East Mississippi Community College Golden Triangle.
In 1963, he married Mary Chisolm Stennis and together they had two children. Being blessed by their God, they were married for 60 years.
Earl was a member of First Baptist Church, Starkville, MS, and attended the Empty Nesters Sunday School Class. He also looked forward to Wednesday Lunch Break and Bible Study each week.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, George Gilbert Stennis and William Locker Stennis.
He is survived by his Wife, Mary, Daughter, Mary Ann Stennis Berry (Bobby), Son, Earl Alexander (Alex) Stennis, II (Jamie), Grandsons, Brandon Berry (Casey), Earl Alexander Stennis III (Trey), Jamison Stennis (Kaley), great granddaughter, Meredith Berry, great grandson, Greer Stennis and great grandson, Sawyer arriving in January. He is also survived by his sister, Christy Stennis Ball (Richard), sister- in law, Beth Stennis, and many nieces and nephews. His beloved pets, Sydney and Trouble will miss him dearly.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS, with the funeral service immediately following. Graveside services will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 106 E. Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
