Frank Henry Ernst Jr.

Frank Henry Ernst Jr., 91, of Tullahoma, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Nashville on April 6, 1928 to the late Frank Henry Ernst Sr., and Josephine (McQuiddy) Ernst.  Frank attended Peabody Demonstration School in the 1st-8th grade in Nashville.  He graduated in 1947 from the prestigious Webb School in Bell Buckle before attending the University of Delaware in Newark.  Frank was a veteran of the United States Army. Upon returning to the city he loved, Tullahoma, he became the payroll clerk for the Tennessee Overall Company which was owned by Taters and Ben Wilkins.  It was at Tennessee Overall that he met his wife Vera Mae who was working as the company secretary.   He later retired from government service after working for thirty years in the ABMA, NASA, DOD, and DECHS departments. He had been a devoted member of Marble Plains Baptist Church since 1955 and had served in many capacities of the church. He co-authored with his wife the book, “Down Memory Lane” about Marble Plains Church Cemetery and Sylvanus Community School.  Frank enjoyed studying his family history, especially his direct lines of lineage of the McQuiddy, Shofner, Wilkins, and Weaver Families. He also enjoyed flying model airplanes and had a gift for drawing.  A pleasure to be around, Frank’s  family will remember his witty and fun nature and how he was a protector, provider, and best friend to his wife. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mom, Josephine Ernst Daniel; grandparents, V.C. and Alda McQuiddy; and aunt and uncle, Taters and Ben H. Wilkins Jr. Frank is survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years, Verna Mae Weaver Ernst of Tullahoma; daughter, Patty Hansen of Huntsville, Alabama; son, Clay Ernst of Nashville; grandchildren, Tia (Doug) Marx and Trey (Sherry) Hansen, both of Alabama; father of grandchildren, Harold Hansen of Alabama; and sister, Emily (Dr. Bill) Branscome of Virginia. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at Marble Plains Baptist Church with funeral services following at 2 p.m. with Rev. Jack Hice officiating. Interment will be at the Marble Plains Church Cemetery with Joe Blanton, John Browden, Thomas Redford, Jim Catlett, Ben Boswell, and Mark Neal serving as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Marble Plains Cemetery Trust Fund, 525 Mansford Road, Winchester, TN 37398. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 First Ave NW, Winchester, TN 37398, (931)-967-2222, www.moorecortner.com. Moore-Cortner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.