Dea. Earl Lese Ishmal, Jr.

It is with deep and profound sorrow that we announce the transition of Deacon Earl L. Ishmal, Jr. who entered into rest at his home peacefully after an extended illness on Monday, May 9, 2022. 

He was born on December 31, 1945, in Newark, New Jersey.

He is a graduate of Dover High School, North SC.  After high school he served in the United States Army, in the 101st Airborne Division and served his country in the Vietnam war.  After active duty, he served in the United States Army Reserve.   After serving in the United States Army, he attended Aiken Technical College where he majored in Business Management, and he was a graduate of Southern Barber College.  He was employed by EI Dupont Company and Westinghouse at the Savannah River Site for 20 years, as a Raw Materials Operator.   He was the owner of Ishmal’s Barbershop in Clearwater, SC, and was a licensed Barber instructor who trained several classes of Barbers who now work in Aiken County and Edgefield County, SC, Richmond County and Henry County, GA.  He also worked several years at Looking Good Barbershop in North Augusta, SC.

He is survived by his wife Dr. Rosa Smith Ishmal, of fifty years; a daughter, LaShon Renee Ishmal (Travis) Johnson, North Augusta, SC; a son, Earl Lese (Mariah) Ishmal, III, Washington, DC; four grandsons, Earl Lese (Keliah) Ishmal, IV, Ermon (I’Asia) Ishmal, Errius Ishmal, Trevan Johnson, all of North Augusta, SC;  four granddaughters, Kamiah Johnson, Aliyah Johnson, North Augusta, SC, Elle Ishmal, and Eden Ishmal, Washington, DC; three brothers, Victor (Renee) Ishmael, Miami, Florida, Errol Ishmael, Atlanta, Georgia and Gregory (Brenda) Ishmael, Neeses, SC; one sister, Jacqueline (Victor) Davis, Burlington, New Jersey; brothers-in-law, Frank (Elaine) Smith, Beech Island, SC, Nathaniel (Donna) Smith, Aiken, SC; sisters-in-law, Lugenia Ingram and Betty Key both of Beech Island, SC; three aunts, Velma Green, Virginia Jamison, and Jacqueline Ishmal all of Columbia, SC; a Goddaughter, Carol Bunch, Hephzibah, GA; spiritual Godsons of the ministry, Apostle William Harris, Aiken, SC, and Rev. Larry Fryer, Augusta, GA.; a host of other loving relatives and friends.

He was a member of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Aiken, SC, where Rev. Dr. Chauncey A. Scott, Sr., is the Senior Pastor.  He served faithfully as the Chairman of the Deacon’s Board Ministry, a member of the Zion Hill Combined Choir, the Men’s Choir, and the Van Ministry.  He was an Associate member of the Greater Augusta Alumni Chapter of the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association, a member of the Aiken County Branch of the NAACP, and served for many years as a dedicated and committed community volunteer Coach for the Midland Valley Recreation Association, Clearwater, SC, where he coached two generations of youth; to include his son, grandsons, nephews, and many community youths.  He was recognized as the Chiefs 2003 Champion Coach.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary, 614 West Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 130 Independent Boulevard, Aiken, SC, with Rev. Dr. Chauncey A. Scott, Sr., Senior Pastor Officiating.  The body will lie in state from 12:00 p. m. to 1:00 p. m.

Professional Services are under the care of G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary-North Augusta.

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