Robert Lawrence Early, of Hot Springs, AR transitions On January 15, 2024, at the age of 72, he laid down his working tools and gained his angelic wings dying peacefully at CHI St. Vincents Hospital with his family. He was born November 7, 1951, in Altheimer, AR on this day, a miracle happened a baby was born to Frank and Martha (Battles) Early.

The family moved to Hot Springs, AR in 1954. He attended Goldstein Elementary School and was in the last class at Langston High School (Home of the Bulldogs) before transferring to Hot Springs High School when it was integrated for students of color to attend. Robert was an above-average student and he participated in shop, NJROTC, and basketball. One of Robert's fondest memories is the cabinets he built for his parents in the kitchen from the skills he learned in shop class in high school. Robert also attended AM&N  which later became the University of Arkansas @ Pine Bluff (UAPB).

Robert accepted Christ at a very young age with his mother, Martha Early joining Union Missionary Baptist Church in 1956. He joined Union as a young man and throughout the years held roles in the church such as driver, custodian, Sunday School Superintendent, and Deacon under the leadership of the late Pastor Douglas E. Jones. Robert also made it a point to visit the sick in shut-in regularly.

Robert worked in the hospitality industry for over 45 years. He worked at Royal Vista, Majestic, Velda Rose, and the Arlington Hotel and after 30 years of service at the Arlington, he retired as the bellman supervisor.

Robert was also active in his community. He participated in the Hot Springs Citizens Police Academy, a lifetime member of Difference Makers of Hot Springs and Leadership Hot Springs. Robert was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Although not actively participating for some time he held a connection to this esteemed organization.

If you knew Robert then you knew he had a taste for the finer things in life. He loved shopping initially via catalogs from Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Spiegel's. He loved getting a manicure, his diamond rings and watches, and his mink coats.

Robert was a very family-oriented man and loved to travel. He started the Early Family reunions and it grew into ten chapters. The family would charter a bus and they traveled to Memphis, TN, Kansas City, Mo, Little Rock, AR, Kalamazoo, MI, Chicago, IL,  Dallas, TX, and New Orleans, LA to name a few. After the death of his father, Frank Early (4/1998), the city of Hot Springs dedicated a day to honor him and as a result, Robert created "Frank Early Day." On this day, everyone was welcome to fellowship with our family at 121 Ivy St.  For ten years, a free event would be held in April and over 300 people would be in attendance. The community enjoyed food, live music, and activities for the kids.  Until the end of his life, you could see Robert doing what he loved, hanging with his family and being out, i.e., grocery shopping, riding up through town HS (his favorite pastime), Difference Makers of Hot Springs events, his birthday party (2023), Pine Bluff Cousin's Reunion (2023), his nephew's MMA fights(2023) Thanksgiving (2023), Christmas (2023) and New Year's (2024).

Robert had a couple of quotes that he would say all the time:  "A heap is seen but only a few know," and it's more than a notion."

Robert never married but he had a special friend until the end, Jewel Gaston (Little Rock). Robert also had no biological children but he treated his nieces and nephews as his own, especially Tawana Foxworth whom he fondly called "Baby Bear" of Hot Springs who was his primary caregiver for the last five years.  Robert knew he was loved until the very end of his life.  With excellent care given to him from Tawana to the care he received from his sisters Arma and Mae, his brothers, Mac and Randy, and his nephew, Collin.  Although dementia had set in he still knew his family members' names, hence his favorite song by Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, "You know my name."

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Delores Thomas.

He is survived by his siblings; Arma Jean Riddley, Mae Foxworth, Michael Ray Early (Mac), and Randy Yarbrough Early all of Hot Springs. Robert had a special closeness to his cousin referred to as "The Early Boys" and you know who you are! Robert also had a lifelong friend, Darnell Witherspoon from elementary school who would check on him regularly and bring movies for him to watch on TV. Robert loved all of his family members near and far. Robert is also survived by his play sisters, Dorothy Black, Louise Clayton, Bonnie King, and Louise Walker.  He is also survived by a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The Funeral will be on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 11:00 am the visitation will be one hour before the service at Union Missionary Baptist Church 219 Gulpha St Hot Springs, Ar 71901.

You may sign the guest registry at http://www.carriganmemorial.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services