Earl Lee Trent
June 3, 1933 – Jan. 25, 2020
Earl Lee Trent left us for his eternal resting place on Saturday afternoon January 25, 2020 while resting peacefully at McGuire Veteran’s Hospital in Richmond, VA. Earl was born on June 3, 1933 to Mary Elizabeth and Realious Harrington Trent in Richmond, VA.
Earl is a 1951 graduate of Maggie L. Walker High School. He was a team captain for the 1951 Maggie L Walker football team that was undefeated and had not allowed any opponent to score against them. Earl earned a football scholarship to Virginia State University where he majored in Psychology. Earl left Virginia State in 1952 and proceeded to serve two years in the United States Air Force.
Following his military service, Earl returned to Richmond and began his employment at First & Merchants Bank (successor, Bank of America1990) where he remained until his retirement from the bank.
Having begun his career at the bank in the maintenance department, prior to his retirement, Earl had become one of the first African American Loan Officers at the bank.
Earl was a widower (Loretta Fox) when he met and married his loving wife Ruth E. Burson on July 10, 1993.
Earl was a member of Sharon Baptist Church where his mother and father worshiped throughout his childhood and youth. He served as a member of the Deacon Board at Sharon.
Earl earned a 4th degree Black Belt in Karate and was known for instructing neighborhood kids in the martial arts, some of whom went on to become quite accomplished and competitive in regional competitions. Importantly, several attribute their self-discipline to the teaching and instruction Earl provided.
Earl is preceded in his passing by his Mother Mary whom he cherished, his father, Harry, who’s strengths he emulated, A brother Realious (Junior) who taught him to draw and a love of art, and his sister Betsy who meant the world to him, a niece Susanne of Richmond, a nephew Daniel (Boo Boo) of Richmond.
Earl leaves to cherish the memory of his steadfast friendship, his faith, and his commitment to service and family, a loving wife, Ruth; a loving and doting daughter, Earletta Michelle; grandson Myles Rucker; great-grand-daughter Eliana Rucker and her mother, Victoria Herrera; step-daughter Crystal; brother William “Billy”, of Champaign; sister-in-law Mildred of Champaign; nieces Brenda Mickens and Delta Garner of Richmond, Sonja Trent-Brown of Holland Michigan, Tiffany Trent of Chicago, Raynika Trent of Brooklyn, New York, Maryka Trent-Baraka of Champaign; Great niece Tiye Baraka of Champaign; Nephews, Realious Pearington Trent of Richmond, Dennis Trent of Richmond, Michael Brown of Holland MI.; Great-Nephews, Taharka Baraka, of Chicago, Asim Baraka of Champaign, Michael Brown Jr. of Holland, Michigan; Cousins, Rock, and the Franklins from Wrightshop Road in Lynchburg, VA.; Jeannie Trent-Rose and James Rose of the Trent’s in Appomattox and Concord, VA; And a host of friends who will miss him dearly. Steadfast among them are James and Constance Montague and Jerome Stevens, a life-long friend and high school teammate.
The Memorial gathering will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Affinity Funeral Services, Richmond Chapel located at 2720 Enterprise Parkway, Richmond, Virginia 23294. Followed by Military Honors.
There will be a reception immediately following the service at First Union Baptist Church located at 6144 Derwent Road, Richmond, Virginia 23225.
My prayers are with Ruth and his family.
Mr. Trent was my instructor for years in Karate. As I had no father a lot of my teenage years was spent in class with him. His influence was paramount in developing me as a young man.