Earl Chapman Hoven Jr.

Rev. Earl C. “Sonny” Hoven, Jr., 77, of Jackson, passed away April 11, 2016 at Mobile Infirmary. He was born September 8, 1938. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he also served as the pastor of numerous churches in Clarke, Washington and Choctaw Counties during his career as a Southern Baptist Minister. He has been the pastor at Grace Chapel Church in Coffeeville for the past 10 years. He also served on the Jackson City Council and was an active member of the Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years having achieved the level of Worthy Patron. He had owned a Dr. Pepper distributorship and drove a school bus for the Clarke County Board of Education for several years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl C. Hoven, Sr. and Elva Woodham Hoven and a son, Brian Keith Hoven. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pam Megginson Hoven of Jackson; children, Beth (Mark) Criswell of Jackson, Mike (Angie) Hoven of Mobile, Gina (Darren) Williams of Baker, Fla.; grandchildren, Russell (Jamie) Criswell, Will (Kemp) Criswell, Brian Criswell, Ansley (Beau) Bryars, Garrett Hoven, Jessica (Ben) McLeod, Josh Williams, Jacob Williams; great-grandchildren, Effie Criswell, Amelia Criswell, Foster McLeod, Grady McLeod and brothers, Bruce (Virginia) Hoven and Kenneth (Gladys) Hoven. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at First Baptist Church of Jackson with the Revs. William Allison, Dr. Ben Stubblefield and Brian Jemison officiating. Visitation will begin two hours prior to the service. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens with Lathan Funeral Home directing. Pallbearers will be Russell Criswell, Will Criswell, Brian Criswell, Garrett Hoven, Josh Williams, Jacob Williams, Jessica McLeod and Ansley Bryars. Memorial contributions made be made to Pilots for Christ. Condolences may be offered at www.lathanfuneralhomejackson.com.