Dear Eva Jo and Family,
I was so saddened to hear of the loss of your loved one.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.  You and Ernie were a special couple to me and my family while we were attending Gateway Church.  I know that your faith is strong  and I know that our Jesus will help and comfort you during this time.  Please know that I will continue to remember you and your family in my prayers.  My sister Ruby also sends her love and sympathy and will also  uplift you in her prayers. 
With all my love, 
Eva Spruill, Edenton NC.

Remember you well Ernie  you were so outgoing .       My sincere condolences to family and friends in the loss of their loved one . I remember those days at the Church of God your dad was such a good singer and preacher you are with the Lord now Ernie God bless you all.

The memory I will always keep of Ernie will be his ready smile and the love of his Lord.  Eva Jo, I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers.

Ernie always had a smile on his face whenever I saw him. He loved the Lord and it showed when you met him. I loved Ernie. He always tried to get me to join up with the "seniors" even though I look old but am not that old! I know Ernie was scared when he told me about his disease and the inevitable conclusion. I told him that I would pray for him, and I did, with the full confidence that God was either going to cure him or if not, take him up in his arms. I am glad to say that Ernie is now with Jesus! What a way to finish! Good for you my brother, I will see you on the other side of eternity when my time comes as yours did. To Ernie's family....rest assured that he is having a blast right now and there's no reason to be sad. Halleluiah!

Had wonderful times with Ernie at Daytona watching the races. Playing farkle at my sisters home in St. Augustine. He was truly a great friend. It is not good bye, it is good night. Will see you in the morning on the other side. 

I have no pictures except the ones I carry in my heart. 
I may not have visited often or often enough. But Mr Dove ment so much to me growing up, and as an adult.
His impact on my life he will never know. Or maybe in some way he does.
I often think of him when NASCAR is on due to the unbeleivable collection of memorabilia he has.
Most of all, is his big heart, and always kind. He instilled in me how to be nice, and how to be yourself around others.
He was genuine, true, and what you see is who he was.


I've been wracking my brain to think of one special memory of Mr. Dove because I have so many more than just ONE. He made a lasting impact in that way on just about everyone he met! 
My very earliest memories of him are from when I was very young and would see him and his huge grin approach me and my parents at church. I quickly learned to know what that meant. He was going to give me a quarter or two and tell me, "Now go buy yourself a co-cola." I remember asking my mom if that was the actual name of a drink I should go find because I wasn't familiar with any soda named that. I admit that I even practiced saying "co-cola" like he would, but I don't think I ever got it right. 
In the years that followed, he and Mrs. Eva Jo took me and many other young people under their wings and let us share just a little of the love they had for their own grandchildren. (Thank you, Dove grandkids, for sharing your amazing Pappaw! As kind as he was to the rest of us, I could always tell you all held an extra-special place in his heart.) They allowed me to be part of their Sunday morning trips to Hardees, and I loved getting to see Mr. Ernie interact with the cashiers, fellow customers, Mrs. Eva Jo, and his grandkids on these visits. Everyone's eyes sparkled and faces grinned just a little more when he spoke to us. 
I could go on and on. One of my last meaningful conversations with him was in Walmart, of all places. I'm so glad we paused to chat for several minutes in the middle of a busy aisle filled with last-minute Christmas shoppers. He spoke of his upcoming appointments and some discouraging news, but he also flashed his trademark smile multiple times and displayed a trust that God knew what He was doing. 
What a man of faith! We'll all miss him on this side of Heaven, but I know that he's enjoying the joys and healing of eternity with Christ now. And I can only assume that his huge grin and laughter are shining brighter than ever before! 

When I think of Bro. Ernie, I think of the word GIVING. He was one of the most giving men I’ve ever known.  He gave his time, his money, his skills, and mostly his love —without expecting anything in return. He, no doubt,  could  have been a rich man if he’d not given so much away.  I could mention a long list of things and amounts of money that he and Eva Jo freely gave to our family over the 30+ years we have known them....but I’m limited to 2000 words.   One story  will have to suffice.
When I was well into my 30’s,  Bro. Ernie gave me my first ever Barbie doll. I was raised in a very strict home and wasn’t allowed to have them.  He gave me a University of TN cheerleader Barbie! He also gave Christi a UVA one. (Does that surprise you knowing his love of the Hokies? 😁)  
Heaven is sweeter, if that’s possible, because Ernie Dove is there. 

The Powell family loves the Doves. We crossed paths in the mid-1980s at Gateway School & Church. We experienced some very sweet fellowship times together. Ernie was always laughing and ribbing me about the Washington “Deadskins”.....you read it right “Deadskins” 😊 All of the Doves are very real and authentic Christ Followers......we are blessed that the dear Lord allowed our journeys to intersect at “such a time as this.” Ernie’s talent and expertise in painting and wallpaper hanging was always fun to watch. He always did it right. Wesley & Shanna as well as Eva are so precious to us and we will love you forever.  ❤️❤️

I will always remember Mr. Dove as a very loving, caring, and giving person. He will be greatly missed.

OBITUARY

Ernest (Ernie) Dove, Sr.

March 3, 1943 – June 7, 2018

Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home

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