Thomas Earl Gautier

Benson, NC: Mr. Thomas Earl Gautier, age 72, of Elevation Road passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Services will be 11:00AM-Monday, April 8, 2024 at Burnell Baptist Church in Four Oaks. Officiating will be Rev. Jessie Brock. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Earl was born on January 7, 1952 in Sampson County to the late Livie Thomas and Ila Mae Tanner Gautier. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Shirley Johnson and Annie Mae Porter and a brother, Jerry Gautier. He graduated from South Johnston High School and Johnston Technical Institute. Earl retired from Wells Fargo after 28 years with the mortgage and finance industry. He was a volunteer firefighter with Elevation Fire Department for 45 years. Earl was a member of Burnell Baptist Church for 46 years serving as a Deacon and Sunday School Superintendent. He loved watching the UNC Tarheels and the Dallas Cowboys play ball. 

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Betty Gayle Gautier; daughter, Elizabeth Gayle Heath (Brandon) of Dunn; son, Thomas Anthony “Tony” Gautier (Julie) of Kinston; grandchildren, Abagayle Heath, Rebekah Heath, and Zachary Heath of Dunn, Sadie Gautier and Scarlett Gautier of Kinston; sister, Peggy Thornton; sister-in-law, Rebecca “Becky” Weaver (Sherrill) of Benson; special nieces and nephews, Betty Esparza (John) of Wake Forest, Kenneth Johnson and fiancé, Rhonda Rios of Benson, and William Weaver (Jessica) of Benson; and several other nieces and nephews, as well as his faithful fur companion, Charlie. 

The family will receive friends 6:00PM to 8:00PM Sunday, April 7, 2024 at the Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson. 

Flowers are welcomed; however, memorials may be made to Burnell Baptist Church Building and Restoration Fund, c/o Treasurer Mandy Davis, 643 Shade Tree Road, Benson, NC 27504 or to the Elevation Fire Department, 1825 Federal Road, Benson, NC 27504. 

Condolences may be made to the family at www.roseandgraham.com. 

Arrangements by Rose and Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC.