At the time of his selection for the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011, Earle shared that he was influenced by three Virginia Wesleyan professors whose disciplines, he says, simultaneously taught him the value of a liberal arts education—Dr. Barry Lipscomb (psychology), Dr. William Shealy (religious studies), and Dr. William Jones (constitutional law).
Below I share his obituary, with service details, as it appears on the B.W. Foster Funeral Home website:
Earle C. Mobley peacefully entered into eternal rest on October 22, 2017. Having gracefully battled cancer for 9 years, he now enjoys the presence of God with his daughter, Rebekah.
Though he was well-respected and highly regarded for his professional success, he never strayed from his humble beginnings. He always told his children, “Whatever you do, leave the world a better place.” Earle modeled this by caring for his family, serving the community, and demonstrating Christ’s love for people from every walk of life. Whether it was the man who washed his car or the governor of the state, Earle considered all people equal. Nobody was beyond the scope of his compassion or exempt from abiding his sense of humor.
In addition to being known for his outstanding character, he was a fierce competitor. From a young age, his competitive spirit, natural talent, and hard work led to success in both baseball and basketball. As a standout in both sports in high school, Earle went on to play Division I baseball. His love for competition didn’t end after college. For years he would continue to play in local baseball and basketball leagues. Although he was the cause of a few bloody noses and black eyes, he developed lifelong friendships with teammates and opponents. Earle believed that this competitive spirit in sports prepared him for his career in the court room.
After graduating from Portsmouth Catholic High School, he went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Wesleyan University and his Juris Doctorate from Regent University School of Law. After working in private practice as a defense attorney and as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Earle was elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Portsmouth in 2001. With dignity and distinction, he served the City of Portsmouth, prioritizing public integrity investigations and difficult murder cases. The honor and proficiency with which he carried out his duties as Commonwealth’s Attorney paved the way for his appointment as Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judge in 2014. Throughout his career, his focus was on what was right and not on what was politically expedient.
Earle’s deeply rooted convictions about faith, family, and friendship led to success in all aspects of his life. He certainly left the world a better place and positively impacted every life he touched. His memory and legacy live on through the lives of many, most notably through his wife, Barbara Mobley; his children, Hannah Hall, Emma Mobley, John Mobley, Kenny Strickland, his daughter-in-law, Anna Strickland; his granddaughter, Rhea Mobley; his sister, Agnes Mobley-Wynne and her husband, David Wynne; niece, Laurel; nephew, Clinton; beloved father figure, Roland “Bucky” Dodson; and a host of cousins and friends. He was the son of the late John Clinton “Sleepy” Mobley and Ethel Calvert Cadmus Mobley.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. at The Community Church at Western Branch (1935 Jolliff Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23321) on Monday, October 30, 2017, followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be private. Contributions can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at lls.org. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.
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Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Earle C. Mobley peacefully entered into eternal rest on October 22, 2017. Having gracefully battled cancer for 9 years, he now enjoys the presence of God with his daughter, Rebekah.
Though he was well-respected and highly regarded for his professional success, he never strayed from his humble beginnings. He always told his children, “Whatever you do, leave the world a better place.” Earle modeled this by caring for his family, serving the community, and demonstrating Christ’s love for people from every walk of life. Whether it was the man who washed his car or the governor of the state, Earle considered all people equal. Nobody was beyond the scope of his compassion or exempt from abiding his sense of humor.
In addition to being known for his outstanding character, he was a fierce competitor. From a young age, his competitive spirit, natural talent, and hard work led to success in both baseball and basketball. As a standout in both sports in high school, Earle went on to play Division I baseball. His love for competition didn’t end after college. For years he would continue to play in local baseball and basketball leagues. Although he was the cause of a few bloody noses and black eyes, he developed lifelong friendships with teammates and opponents. Earle believed that this competitive spirit in sports prepared him for his career in the court room.
After graduating from Portsmouth Catholic High School, he went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Wesleyan University and his Juris Doctorate from Regent University School of Law. After working in private practice as a defense attorney and as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Earle was elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Portsmouth in 2001. With dignity and distinction, he served the City of Portsmouth, prioritizing public integrity investigations and difficult murder cases. The honor and proficiency with which he carried out his duties as Commonwealth’s Attorney paved the way for his appointment as Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judge in 2014. Throughout his career, his focus was on what was right and not on what was politically expedient.
Earle’s deeply rooted convictions about faith, family, and friendship led to success in all aspects of his life. He certainly left the world a better place and positively impacted every life he touched. His memory and legacy live on through the lives of many, most notably through his wife, Barbara Mobley; his children, Hannah Hall, Emma Mobley, John Mobley, Kenny Strickland, his daughter-in-law, Anna Strickland; his granddaughter, Rhea Mobley; his sister, Agnes Mobley-Wynne and her husband, David Wynne; niece, Laurel; nephew, Clinton; beloved father figure, Roland “Bucky” Dodson; and a host of cousins and friends. He was the son of the late John Clinton “Sleepy” Mobley and Ethel Calvert Cadmus Mobley.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. at The Community Church at Western Branch (1935 Jolliff Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23321) on Monday, October 30, 2017, followed by a reception at the church. Burial will be private. Contributions can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at lls.org. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.
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Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
