Ernest Martin IV

Ernest Grover Martin IV, 41, died Monday, May 19, 2025 in Gulfport, MS. A lifelong resident of Gulfport MS.

Ernest attended Westminster Academy, St. John High School and The University of Mississippi, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and graduated with a Business Degree in 2008.

His life in Christ began at St.Peter’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Gulfport, and continued in Catholic parishes as an adult.

Ernest began a successful business career with Enterprise Rent-A-Car in New Orleans after college. He later became a sought-after landman in multiple oil and gas companies across Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

Ernest’s greatest love on earth was his baby son, Ernest Grover Martin V. Golf was his biggest passion, along with Ole Miss Football and the New Orleans Saints. Ernest was a sports lover with a remarkable memory for game stats, players and coaches. He was also an avid fantasy football guy for many years.

Ernest never met a stranger, and spoke to every man, woman and child he ran into. He was exceptionally bright and had a remarkable wit. He loved to talk and use his sense of humor to entertain everyone who knew him.

Ernest was also member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Ernest was blessed with wonderful AA groups in Gulfport, Mandeville, and Covington, LA where he had many friends. He spent the last several years of his life proudly clean and sober, and his family is comforted by his faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and we know he is at peace in heaven for eternity.

Ernest is survived by his son Ernest G. Martin V, Mandeville LA, mother Sharon Sneed Martin, Gulfport MS, father Ernest G. Martin, III, Ridgeland MS, brother John H. Martin (Kristina) of Miramar Beach FL, sisters Mary Elizabeth Cochran (Patrick) of Gulfport, MS, and Caroline Sneed Jordan (Jason) of Pensacola, FL. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews; Harrison, Charlie, Christian, Andrew, Sam and Helene Martin, Jack and Catherine Cochran, and Larkin and Birdie Jordan, as well as his Aunts and Uncles Wyatt and Ginny Emmerich, Celia and Scotty Barrett, Harry and Barbel Sneed, John B. and Patti Sneed and cousins Amy Martin Barrett Caboni-Quinn (Devin), Torrence H Sneed (Casheda), Stephan Henry Sneed (Petra), and Johnny Sneed (Cristina).

Services will be held Thursday, June 5, 2025 at St. Peter’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Gulfport at 1:30pm where friends may visit beginning at noon. A private family interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Gulfport. 

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes, 15th street Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Ernest Martin IV.