Ms. Ernst was part of a team of English teachers that meant a lot to me my first year of teaching, and then up to the third year . Ernst had authority and mastery over her craft. ... Once when I told a group of teachers in a meeting that I’d read a student’s short story to a different class she stopped and said “that’s an excellent teaching strategy,” and the words encouraged me during a year when it often felt like I was making things up. 

Later I’d notice how she cultivated young writers on the newspaper, kids I’d have in English II. They would file multiple stories and on good and important topics. ... It also lifted my spirits that she put me in the paper a few times. This made me feel really welcome on the team and campus. 

She had a long career but judging from the three years I worked with her I could tell she was a real one. She had standards (in grammar, in writing) that the kids need and I always appreciated. 

I’m going to really miss her and was lucky to have gotten to be on an English team with her.  I have gone back to look at the paper her and her kids made and I’m glad I kept it. 

My heart goes out to the family and friends. Learning more at the funeral about her I could see more clearly that she had always had ... what can you call it? The English teacher’s spirit—which has something to do with living deeply, loving, fighting, and embracing the riches of your own intelligence. 

Endless Love to Michelle, From Uncle Robert and Sandy.

Part 2. Michelle’s passion was teaching. So much so that she would even correct my grammar in our conversations. And I loved that about her. One of our favorite arguments was over the word regardless. She corrected me for many years that it was not “irregardless” and I would use it incorrectly just to have her correct me so we could laugh about it. One work memory that we laughed about often was when I taught next door to her and my students would go to her class to borrow her pencil sharpener. She absolutely despised the interruption to her teaching and at one point one of my students came back with the pencil sharpener and said, “Mrs. Ernst said we can just  keep it”.  

Michelle was so wise and I learned way more than grammar lessons from her. One of the biggest life lessons Michelle taught me was how to be frugal. Michelle could stretch a penny father than anyone I know and I learned so many ways to budget and cut unnecessary expenses from her. 

Michelle and I spent many summers at the lake together. We shared a passion for the water and the sun. One summer Michelle, Mimi and I went to South Padre Island for vacation. Michelle LOVED the beach! On the drive back Michelle and Mimi were so startled at the border patrol check point and I will never forget the laughs we had at attempting to remain calm going thru trying to be “normal”. We probably looked so suspicious and had no reason to be! 

As an only child, my children never had Aunts and Uncles and from the first time meeting my children Michelle became their “Chelle Chelle”. She loved my children with her whole heart and they loved her back just as much. Michelle was the only friend of mine to cook meals and come visit me after bringing my daughter home from the hospital as an infant. 

Michelle, we love you so much and I will miss you so much! I am a better person from all of the lessons you’ve taught me and I will carry these memories and lessons with me in my heart forever!

There are so many memories that I have with Michelle, it’s hard to pick a favorite. They all involve her beautiful smile and her contagious laugh. Michelle and I went thru many ups and downs together in our friendship and learned many life lessons together. Wether it was at school, or in our personal lives, there was always a lesson to be learned. 

My earliest memory of our friendship was when I saw her out dancing and we walked right past each-other as if we were strangers, both knowing we worked at the same school in the same hallway! Later that evening we crossed paths again and she simply said, “we don’t speak of this at work”.  We instantly became in that moment.  We laughed about that night many times in our friendship. “Hey remember that time you completely ignored me and we became the best of friends because of it”! Michelle and I have many fun memories of dancing. It was a place we could let all of our worries aside and just enjoy life in the moment. She loved to dance!

Michelle was always a great listener and she gave the best advice. Michelle wasn’t one to just tell you what you wanted to hear, instead she would make/help you analyze the situation from all perspectives and make help you make logical decisions. I always admired her ability to communicate subjects that she disagreed with so gracefully and respectfully. 

Continued in Part 2.

Michelle had a huge heart and the best laugh!  She and I were college roommates at WCU and friends.  I have always cherished my memories of those days and I am so glad she was a part of my life.  My heart goes out to Joshua - we all know how much she loved you and she was so proud of you - and to her family on their heartbreaking loss.  Michelle was loved by so many.  

Michelle was such a giving person. When we were adopting and it was so expensive, she gave us all of her son’s things that we could use. His bassinet was one that I remember the best. I just paid it forward to a neighbor a few months ago who is using it for her baby. I would like to think that the spirit of her generosity will go on. I moved away ten years ago, but I will never forget her. My heart is broken for her and her family. Praying for them all. We lost my husband the same way last year. And the grief is strong, but God is stronger. 

Ms. Ernst had a way of making the smallest people feel big. My senior year I decided to run for prom king and she got our journalism class to create me two giant banners that supported me. I knew that I didn’t have a chance but she believed and made me feel accepted. Because of her, I am a teacher now and I do everything in my power to make my students feel accepted like she did. 

I will forever cherish our friendship and remember our late night talks. Your smile and kind heart will live on. You loved your family, friends, and students with every breath you took. You will be sorely missed!

Josh, Marlene, Charles and the Watterson Family.  My heartfelt sympathy is with each of you. Michelle was a treasured friend. I will miss our talks. I was good friends with Brian and would share photos and stories of him with Michelle over the years. We also loved chatting about our children with each other and I always loved hearing her talk about you Josh and how much she loved you, how much she loved each of you. I will miss her friendship always. I have and will continue to keep each of you in prayer. I am so sorry for your loss.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Michelle Ernst

13 mars 1973 – 23 février 2022

Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home

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