Ernest Durant Lipford

Mr. Ernest Durant Lipford, 86, of Lenoir, passed away on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital, following a period of declining health. Ernest was born on June 14, 1932 in Caldwell County to the late Arnie Lipford and Grace Horton Lipford. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul AME Church in Lenoir where he served on the Board of Stewards and sang in the choir, and was a retired foreman with Hammary Furniture. Ernest enjoyed fishing, card playing and helping out within his community in his free time. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Mary Porter Lipford, a brother, Edward Lipford, two sisters, Juristine Abernathy and Trisha Mae Lipford, and four sons, Charles Derr, Rev. Eric (Anthany) Lipford, Evan( Tammy) Lipford and James "Tuda" Horton. Survivors include his wife, Marietta Davis Lipford of the home, his children; Douglas D. Lipford Sr. of Colorado, Darrell Lipford and wife Joyce of Lenoir, Gerald Lipford and wife Lori of Colorado, Cara F. Lipford of Colorado, Melia Lipford-Wiley of Kansas, Valena Fox of Lenoir, Shawna Colbert and husband Freddie of Georgia, Yutokia T. Lipford of Lenoir, George Horton and wife Diane of Winston-Salem, Ledra Thomas and husband Montague of Lenoir and Leshawn Harper and husband Ronnie of Lenoir. Also surviving are two sisters, Jerlene Michaux , and Jeanette Suitt both of Lenoir, 40 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren, ten great great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews who are all honored to call him the patriarch of the family. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul AME Church in Lenoir with Rev. Dr. Byron Grayson and Rev. James Wilfong officiating. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir. The family will receive friends on Sunday, from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul AME Church. Memorials may be sent to St. Paul AME Church, 443 Finley Ave. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645, Highways to Hedges Ministries, 2186 Broadland Rd.. Lenoir, NC or to Carolina Caring Hospice, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.