Albert Devery Ernest Jr.

1930 - 2025

Albert Devery Ernest, Jr.

June 7, 1930 - November 26, 2025

Albert Devery Ernest, Jr., died on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. He was 95. Albert is survived by Donna, his wife of 71 years; their son Albert D. "Pepper" Ernest III; two grandchildren, Albert D. "Devery" Ernest IV (Makenzie), and Shelby Ernest; a great-grandson, Albert Devery Ernest V; two nieces, Kristin Markel and Kim Ernest; and countless friends. Their daughter, Lise "Lele" died in 1997.

Born in 1930 in Mobile, Alabama, Albert moved with his family to Savannah, Georgia, where he had a happy childhood before enrolling at the University of Virginia. He enjoyed career success in the forest products and banking businesses after his graduation from Virginia in 1954, where he was a member of the Chi Phi Fraternity and the Raven Society. He married Donna Sims of Charlottesville and joined the St. Regis Paper Company, where he worked until 1961.

On leaving St. Regis, he organized Albert Ernest Enterprises, a consulting firm and later Allied Timber Company, a manufacturer of wood products which he merged into St. Regis. He began his second career as President and CEO of Barnett Bank of Jacksonville, Florida; the system's lead bank. During his banking career, he was a member of Reserve City Bankers and the Conference Board. He retired in 1991, as President and Chief Operating Officer of the holding company, Barnett Banks, Inc. He was immensely proud of his working life and the many good friends and colleagues he labored with to advance those business interests. While at Barnett Banks in Jacksonville he served the community through active involvement and leadership in the Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and the Cummer Gallery of Art.

He served on the boards of Barnett Banks, Inc., St. Regis Corporation, the Emerald Fund, Florida Rock Industries, FRP Properties, Regency Realty Corporation, Stein Mart, Inc., Virginia National Bank, VNBTrust, N.A., and Wickes Lumber Company, as well as several private company advisory boards.

Albert was a member of the Council for the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences - the precursor of the UVA College Foundation - for ten years and was an officer of that organization. During that time, he was responsible for the creation of the John Coleman Chair in the English Department at the University of Virginia.

Albert retired at age 60 to spend time with their daughter Lele as she fought a courageous battle with brain tumors. Those years brought the Ernest family ever closer to God and helped Albert consider what his "body of work" might look like. While he continued his service to the business community on various corporate boards, he also gave his time to the Episcopal Foundation of the Diocese of Florida, St. John's Cathedral, the University of Virginia (where he was a member of the Raven Society), the Foxcroft School, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, and Francis McNutt's Christian Healing Ministry.

He wrote about his family and told his own story for his grandchildren, Devery and Shelby, in "Son of the Man Who Rode the Mule Around the World". For much of his life he wrote in a journal, and he often wrote poetry. In 2012, he published a collection of his poems, "Migrations". In 2013, he published a book of photographs of a lifetime of hunting and fishing, titled "Family, Friends, Feathers, and Fins - 1942-2011". In 2019, he published "The Bonus Years" with his thoughts about growing old.

At age eighty-four he took up acrylic painting. He had majored in Economics but enjoyed most of all his study of English and Art History in college. Donna had painted for years and influenced his interest in art, and they collected art. Albert recognized beauty all around him and had a keen eye for content and color. He and Donna enjoyed their beautiful gardens for which he gave Donna all the credit. When people wanted to buy his paintings, he asked only that they make a contribution to his favorite charity; St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Ivy, Virginia. He liked to say he was, "painting for God." He and Donna were married at St. Paul's in 1954, they worshipped there when they moved back to Charlottesville permanently, and they moved Lele there in 2010 after her initial interment in Jacksonville, Florida. He will rest there as his spirit soars with The Holy Spirit.

A lifelong hunter and fisherman, he loved all his dogs and delighted in their talents and affections. He loved the tales of King Arthur and the Round Table first, read to him by his father. He was a Southern Gentleman who kept dear the best things about that tradition. He lived by the golden rule, always. He was a voracious reader, a generous soul, a forgiving friend, a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and a loving husband. His was a life well lived.

The family thanks those who have been of tremendous help and support, including Edward Banks, Mercedes Espinoza, his devoted caregiver Bridget Johnson, and all the friends he held so dearly.

A service of committal will be held at St. Paul's Ivy on Saturday, December 6 at 2 pm. Father Rick Lord will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Rector's Fund at St. Paul's, Ivy or to a charity of your choice.

Hill & Wood Funeral Service