Ernie "Earnie" Greene Graham III

Ernie Graham was born on November 1, 1951, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Greene Graham Jr. of Winder. He was a 1969 graduate of Winder-Barrow High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Georgia in 1974 and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned the degree of Master of Public Administration from The University of Georgia in 1976.

Ernie served the City of Winder for 27 years before retiring as City Administrator. He was a member of the Georgia Municipal Association and the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission. He also served on the local Board of Branch Bank & Trust Company. Following his retirement, he went on to work as an independent municipal consultant for over a decade.

Ernie was a past President of the Winder Rotary Club and current President of Friends of Fort Yargo State Park. He was a lifelong member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where he taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and served in numerous leadership roles. He was a mentor with the Barrow County School System where he positively impacted the lives of local youth.

Ernie had a passion for music and played in several local bands. He was also a part of the music ministry at Bethlehem First United Methodist Church. Many will remember Ernie for his original song, Winder’s The One, which was featured on the NBC Nightly News.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Peggy, of Winder; son, Stephen (Kristin) Graham of Atlanta; daughter Ann Marie (Nick) Johnson of Suwanee; twin sister, Lynn (David) Hammond of Winder and younger sister Gayle (Mark) Acuff of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina; two grandchildren, Olivia Graham and Caroline Johnson, and numerous sisters and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews. He also looked forward to welcoming a third granddaughter soon.

The funeral service to celebrate the life of Ernie Graham will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 6, 2017, at First Christian Church, 275 N. 5th Avenue, Winder, Georgia 30680 with Rev. Cheryl Cloar and Rev. Frank Bernat officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rose Hill Cemetery in Winder. The family will be receiving friends on Tuesday evening, September 5, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Smith Memory Chapel.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 275 N. 5th Avenue, Winder, Georgia 30680, Friends of Fort Yargo State Park at PO Box 1967 Winder, GA 30680 or Eagle Ranch, 5500 Union Church Road, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is entrusted with arrangements.