Earl Wadsworth

Oh my friend. Earl was my first coworker after moving to Nola and how lucky was I to have met such a gentleman with a vast knowledge of the city. I could listen to him for hours at Igor’s or Touché’s. I would like to thank Earl for lots of good memories.

A love of my life. You don't get many, and I'll can't imagine a better one. Thank you Lynn and family for sharing him with me.

Dear Lynn, Alan, Richard and Blake, I was so sorry to learn of Earl's death. He was such a vivid character--funny, warm, vivaciou-- that even though I last talked with Earl in the early '80s, I remember that conversation even now. I know your loss is profound, but believe that the Jewish phrase that his memory is a blessing surely applies here.

As I read all of the memories that friends have shared, it makes me proud that others knew him as I did. It makes it easier to share when you know you are sharing with friends. I talked with Earl on the phone for nearly an hour and a half the week before he passed. I first met Earl in the 4th grade when he moved to Montebello School and we became pals forever at that time. I can confirm that he was truly all of the good things that friends have shared. He and I could reminisce forever about all of the fun we had throughout grade school and I would be glad to start sharing those memories but for the sake of those who don't have the time to read that much I will wait and share later all of the details about our grade school years (Mrs. Lyle's class, etc.), riding min--bikes (with Mike Johnson and Gary Pool), going to Earl's to eat his mother's famous spaghetti, dancing the maypole (my partner was Courtney Allmand), his trip with my parents and Gary Pool to my high school graduation in Massachusetts and the parties that followed in Boston, our trip driving my 1967 convertible Jeepster from Natchez to Orlando to visit a friend in 1974, driving Earl's first car ("the jalopy"), the most fun years together at USM in Hattiesburg (parties in Hattiesburg and Natchez), meeting all of Earl's friends in the theatre department at USM, many many trips to visit in New Orleans (including at his office known as Igor's), and special times when he would come to Natchez to visit. Earl kept his sense of humor above his emotions and would not allow himself to be sad - his enormous laugh blew away any melancholy thoughts. When our friend, Gary Pool, passed away on May 24, 2019, Earl did not want to come to Natchez for the funeral and certainly did not want to serve as a pallbearer; I was able to convince Earl to come and many of us friends had opportunity to enjoy Earl in person for the last time. Earl had a memory that never forgot anything - he was reminding me of fun times we had with my parents back in the 1960s that only he would have been able to recall... My Uncle Sim nicknamed Earl "Louella" after the famous Louella Parsons because he knew everyone and everything going on in town. Earl knew everyone, and everyone knew Earl - you could ask Earl who someone was and he would always know the name :-) To Blake, Alan, Lynn, Richard and the entire family - please know that we loved Earl too. His memory and influence will last forever, and we are always here to share with you our love for such a lasting friendship. I hope that others will continue to share and bring you encouragement and joy in knowing that Earl always considered his friends to be a precious part of his life! Earl treasured his friends, and Earl's friends still treasure him!!

Earl taught me everything I know about coffee. Every time i share this knowledge, I always say, " my friend Earl taught me everything I know about coffee!" He will be missed

To Lynn, Alan and the rest of the Wadsworth family. I send my sincere condolences. God bless you all.

I wish I could say that there is a hole in my heart after hearing this awful news, but I cannot. Because my Man with the Plan, Earl the Pearl, is still filling it, unwilling yet to leave me, although I’m convinced that my thinking of him on Easter Sunday was his own way of saying “ I’ll see you later, Sistah.” I cannot believe he is no more, and my heart cries for all who grieve this loss. But I cannot grieve just yet. He is still too close, still too vital within me. I love you, Earl, and I always will!

Earl and I reconnected last year for the first time (in person) since high school, when we had been close. Earl was someone I will remember as having a large amount of compassion, humor and intellect. His presence will be missed. My heartfelt condolences go out to his siblings, Alan and Lynn, along with his father, Blake. The Wadsworth family is one of Natchez, Mississippi’s treasures.