Ernest was raised in the Glenrock area of Norfolk. After high school, he served proudly in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict and, upon returning home, got a job with what was then the Norfolk and Western Railway Company, working his way up to locomotive engineer. Shortly after starting work he married Earlene Harper. They built a happy home, filling it with four sons.
Ernest was active with his sons in the Cub and Boy Scouts, helping with paper routes, and as a Band Parent for the Indian River Marching Braves. He enjoyed his model trains, riding his bicycle, working word search puzzles and watching television. He was a quiet man with a wonderful sense of humor and a ready supply of “Dad jokes”, which he shared with his sons and grandchildren.
Ernest was a strong Christian, and served as a deacon at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Chesapeake. He and Earlene most recently attended Suburban Christian Church in Virginia Beach.
Besides his wife of almost 68 years, Ernest is survived by his siblings and their wives: Allen (Judy), Steve (Anita) and Doris. He was preceded in death by his mother, Flossie Virginia, his father Walter Thomas and his sister Anne. Ernest is also survived by his sons and their wives: Ernest, Jr. “Buddy”(Anna), Anthony “Tony”, Robert “Bobby” (Andrea) and William “Billy” (Cindy) and seven grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Jason (Amie), Nichole, Elise, Nicholas (Liz), Alex, Jesse (Cassidy), Ayden and Carter. Also surviving Ernest are a great-grandchild, Julian and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family.
Ernest will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know him. He will smile down from Heaven every time anyone who knew him tells a corny joke. They probably heard it from him.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 25th, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462. There will be a memorial service at 2:00, also at Rosewood-Kellum, followed by a reception at the same location. On the following Thursday, May 2nd, Ernest will be interred at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road in Suffolk, VA 23434, at 3:00 PM. You may offer your condolences and share your stories at www.kellumfuneralhome.com.
The White family would like to thank Chesapeake Fire Station #3 for frequently providing physical assistance to Ernest. Also greatly appreciated are the staff at both Sentara Leigh and Sentara Norfolk General Hospitals for the loving care they gave Ernest in his last days. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation (with a notation of “Station #3” in the memo line) to:
City of Chesapeake Fire Department
304 Albemarle Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322
or to:
Suburban Christian Church
5132 Bellamy Manor Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
