Ersell McCullen Sr.

Ersell McCullen, Sr., 61, a resident of Jesup, Ga. and native of Elizabeth City, NC passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at Memorial Health in Savannah, Ga. following a lengthy illness. He was born on March 07, 1965 in Elizabeth City, NC to the late, Milford Brothers and Brenda McCullen. He was reared by his bonus father, Ben Respass.

Ersell was a 1985 graduate of Northeastern High School in Elizabeth City, NC where he was an active participant in the game of football. Upon completion of High School Ersell joined the US Army in 1985 where he was a Cannon Crew member and retired in 2007, after 21 years and 11 months of dedicated service. He then worked for the Dept. of Corrections until his health would no longer allow him to work. Before experiencing health problems, Ersell was very active in the community serving as the coach at Liberty County Recreation Dept. for 20 plus years and also at Snelson Golden Middle School in Liberty County, Ga.

Ersell is survived by his wife of (32) years, Verna Skinner-McCullen, Jesup, Ga.; his son, Ersell McCullen, Jr., Hinesville, Ga.; his grandchildren, Ersell III, Isaiah, Armani, Jiryn and Elijah; his sister, Zena (Ervin) Jackson and his brother, Willis "Jo Jo" McCullen, both of Elizabeth City, NC; a uncle, Willie John McCullen, Fayetteville, NC; a cousin who was like an uncle, Vernon (Brenda) Johnson, Elizabeth City, NC; his close friends, Darren Jackson, Reginal Ford and his Dept. of Corrections family; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other friends who will miss him dearly.

Remains will be viewed on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 12:00 noon until 6:00 pm at Royal Funeral Home Chapel, 247 W. Pine Street, Jesup, Ga. 31545.

Horton's Funeral Home located at 509 Dobbs Street, Hertford, NC 27944 will be the servicing funeral home.

Graveside services will take place in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 5310 Milners Rd, Suffolk, VA 23434 (date and time to be announced).