Ernest Edwin Sutherland

1946 - 2024

Ernest Edwin Sutherland was born in Vardaman, Mississippi, on Valentine's Day 1946 and entered the presence of the Lord on August 13, 2024. He was preceeded in death by his parents, Aubrey and Modene Sutherland, and his brothers, James Willie and Raymond. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lynn Sutherland and four children: Kevin Sutherland, Kelli Court, Micah Wark and Lindsay Bean, and six grandchildren: Caroline Court, Olivia Court, Sadie Court, Marin Wark, Mackenzie Wark and Bowen Bean, as well as his sister, Sandra Brock (Hattiesburg), and a large extended family who loved him dearly.

Ernie was a follower of Jesus and served as an usher at Bellevue Baptist Church for many years. The fruit of the Holy Spirit was abundant in his life. He was loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, gentle, good, faithful and disciplined. Ernie has an incredible legacy of generosity toward those who knew him and over many decades raising money for the Shriners Children's Hospital and serving as a member of the Liberty Bowl Waterboys.

Ernie was a graduate of Vardaman High School and Memphis State University. He was an ambitious entrepreneur and owned multiple businesses, Tenn-Plast, Corrosion Piping Products, and Cooling Components in Memphis, TN. He even had an Antique Car Museum in Hardy, Arkansas.

Ernie passed away in the midst of doing what he loved, fixing something. He was truly a "jack of all trades." He had a brilliant mechanical mind and could fix anything. Houses, cars, appliances...you name it! His strong hands showed it. After he became a grandfather, he found a new appreciation for those precious moments of life as "Poppi/Poppie" to his grandchildren, playing on the floor with them or sitting in his favorite chair with his feet up and a little one in his lap, watching cartoons.

Ernie was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He loved working at his "Deer Camp", tending to his vegetable garden, bush-hogging, or patiently sitting in a blind at sunrise, waiting for an unsuspecting deer or turkey to stroll by. Every October for many years, he made a pilgrimage to South Dakota, driving up with his son-in-laws and some of his best buddies to hunt pheasant.

Ernie was full of surprises. He always played it close to the vest with a mischievous smile and a twinkle in his eye. Who else do you know that could build a hot rod, run a sewing machine and do beautiful calligraphy?

Ernie Sutherland was a blessed man, "whatever he put his hand to prospered" (Psalm 1:3-6) and he was beloved by countless people. He was a 60-year Memphian and was always bumping into friends wherever he went. Ernie will be greatly missed, but we rejoice that he is reunited with his parents, brothers and many other loved ones in the presence of the Lord Jesus in Heaven, and we look forward to seeing him again there.

A celebration of his life will be held Monday, August 19th, at Bellevue Baptist Church in the Pollard Chapel (South-facing main entrance). 2000 Appling Rd. Cordova, TN. Visitation is 10:30-11:45am with service following at 12pm.