Earnest Arthur Kitchen

Earnest was born on August 3, 1930 in Van, West Virginia. He was the third child born to Millard and Dorothy Kitchen. His siblings are: Eva Mae Kitchen of Madison, West Virginia, Eskell Kitchen (deceased), Terry Kitchen of Detroit, Michigan, Norwood Paul Kitchen of Orlando, Florida.

Earnest and Eleanor (Lucille)were loyal members of West Gate Baptist Church for 65 years. They were charter members and loved their church. He did everything at the church from serving as deacon, leading the college ministry to volunteering to do the custodial duties. Very sincerely, from the bottom of their hearts, they were the spiritual friends of eight different pastors in their history at West Gate. He loved, supported, encouraged, and helped in any way he could. The newly refurbished fellowship hall has been named the “Earnest and Lucille Kitchen” in their honor. Earnest will be remembered for his devotion to Jesus Christ. He began each day on his knees and then time spent in God’s Word before tackling the challenges of the world.

Earnest married his high school sweetheart. Eleanor was a cheerleader and Earnest was the quarterback of the Van Bulldogs. They married in March of 1952, seventy-two years ago. They have two children: a son, Earnest Michael (Mike) Kitchen(Robbie) of Wesley Chapel, Florida, and a daughter, Susan Marie (Kitchen) Bonar (Rex) of Overland Park, Kansas.

Earnest loved the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

They are:

Rachel (Bill) Pollock of Washington D.C. and children Ehler and Loyal ; Kyle Bonar of Anchorage, Alaska; Chris (Cynthia) Randall of Mandeville, Louisiana and children Krysten Pizzalotto (Vaughn)of Covington, LA; Alexia Randall of Mandeville, LA and Dawson Randall of Fort Campbell, KY; Ryan Kitchen of Ocala, Florida, Jon (Nicole) Kitchen and children Olivia and Benjamin, Melissa (Jake) Kennedy and children Paul and Jacqueline; Robert and Andrea Ivey and children Ayla, Fallon and Harper Ivey.

He was a devoted father, grandfather, husband, and friend!

A visitation will be held on January 20, 2026, from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at West Gate Baptist Church, located at 5121 Kelly Rd, Tampa, FL 33615.

The funeral service will follow at the same location from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

A committal service will take place at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513, from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm on the same day.