Ernest was born on May 23, 1935, in Maplesville, Alabama, a small town of about 500. He first set eyes on Marie, the love of his life, in 1952 in front of a movie theater in Selma, Alabama. Smitten at first sight, Ernest immediately pledged that someday she would be his wife. On October 31, at 91, after 59 years of glorious marriage and five loving children (Howard, Janice, Polly, Paul and Jennifer), including five deeply beloved grandchildren (Persia, Caleb, Ty, Reece and MacKenzie) and four great-grandchildren, Ernest returned to his Lord and Savior.
Ernest spent his working life as a proud railroad man. He began his 35-year career as a switchman in Mobile, Alabama, and quickly rose up through the ranks to become an Officer and Superintendent of Operations, a responsibility spanning several Southern states.
His life’s journey of growth and development was full and rich with love, devotion and curiosity. A great athlete, Ernest earned All-State Basketball and Football High School Honors in both the 11th and 12 grades and played recreational tennis and basketball through his seventies.
A great listener and observer of others, he seemed to always learn first what others needed. He and his wife, Marie, who was a breast cancer survivor of 21 years, often reached out to those families similarly afflicted with love and understanding, comforting them with hand-sewn pillows and gifts after their surgery, visiting them in the hospitals and nursing homes. He and she seemed to never tire of helping others.
Ernest spent his 20s, 30s and 40s in Mobile, Alabama and Knoxville, Tennessee before circling back to Knoxville in his early 50s for retirement, after living short periods in Mississippi and Georgia.
His undying love and devotion to his wife, children and grandchildren was inspirational. The life-important lessons he leaves them were taught through his examples and his actions, not through his words. Ernest will always be loved and never forgotten.
His family will receive friends at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 West Adair Drive, Fountain City, on Thursday, November 5th, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a funeral service to follow at 7:00 PM. Rev. Alan Price will officiate. Family and friends are asked to meet at Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home on Friday, November 6th, at 2:30 PM for a procession to Greenwood Cemetery, located at 3500 Tazewell Pike. A brief graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM.
