Earl Shannon

Mr. Earl Lee Shannon Sr. was born on November 13, 1942, in Barton, Arkansas, to George Shannon and Lydia Alexander. In 1962, Earl graduated from Eliza Miller High School and thereafter enlisted in the United States Army, while concurrently working at Mohawk Tire Company. He served as a Private E-2 until 1968, receiving an Honorable Discharge upon completion of his military service.

On February 4, 1969, Earl married T’ella Barnes. A few months later, the couple moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Earl worked for Ford Motor Company. In September 1969, Earl moved his family to Saginaw, Michigan, where he and his brothers began working for General Motors. Saginaw became his home, where he remained until his passing on July 30, 2026.

Earl was a beautiful soul with a strong, protective spirit and a deep desire to provide for those he loved. He enjoyed listening to music, dancing, laughing, sharing riddles that made you think, and most of all, spending time with family and friends. Earl touched the lives of people near and far, and his presence, laughter, and love will truly be missed.

Earl leaves to cherish his memory his beautiful loving wife, T’Ella Shannon; his children, Kalvin Spears, Jacklun Shannon, Earl (Temieka) Shannon Jr., and Keionia Shannon; grandchildren, Shadarra Goggins, Ashley Shannon, Aliyah Shannon, Nathaniel D. Winston Sr., Tristan Shannon, Zayden Cotton, and Grayson Cotton; great-grandchildren, Quentavion Smith, Elijah Smith, and Nathaniel D. Winston Jr.; his brothers, Prince Shannon and Calvin Shannon; sister, Linda Shannon; and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lydia Shannon and George Shannon Sr.; brothers, Nathaniel Shannon, Alvin Shannon, George Shannon Jr.; sister, Georgia Shannon; his grandparents, Woodson (Amanda Robinson) Shannon, formerly known as Alex Hagen, and George Sr. (Mary Tyler) Alexander.