Mrs. Clair Beth Ernest (née Sedore), 68, passed away on July 15, 2021. She was born on August 6, 1952 in Poughkeepsie, NY to the late Jack V. Sedore and Hazel E. Sedore (née Green). Clair was a loving, faithful, strong, and God-fearing woman. She attended St. Michael Lutheran Church having been introduced to the "drive thru" church format during the pandemic. She was a Navy Wife for her husband's entire 21 year career and never complained. She served in various volunteer capacities often working longer hours then a 40 hours work week during those years only stopping when moving to Virginia Beach in 1989 and pursuing a career path. She has been a long time resident of Virginia Beach and taught pre-K for years in the area prior to retiring. She was a Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher and superintendent. She also coordinated the hot school lunch program in Italy during the three years there. She earned a Master’s degree in American Studies with a graduate certificate in WWII later in life and desired to write books for teens to encourage a love of history and storytelling. Clair loved anything having to do with history and relished the time spent in Italy and in the "Historic Triangle". She was a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and Pi Gamma Mu. In her spare time, she enjoyed cooking, reading and exploring historical places. She loved to play games with her family and was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother to both her human and animal family. Her faith and relationship with God allowed her to overcome many obstacles and medical challenges over the years. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 49 years, James Lowell Ernest of Virginia Beach; two daughters, Clarissa E. Ernest of Virginia Beach and Carin L. White (née Ernest) of Norfolk; one granddaughter, Jamie L. White; a dog-son, Murdoch Ernest; a grand-dog, Willie N. White; two grand-cats, Athena S. Ernest and B. Bubbles Ernest; and numerous nieces and nephews. Clair was predeceased by her three older brothers: Jack, Ralph and George.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 21, at St. Michael Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service for viewing and a light reception. Burial will follow the service in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery at 1300. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Clair's name to St. Michael Lutheran Church https://www.smlvb.org or Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, https://ocrahope.org.
" 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the older order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4 (NIV)
