Earnest Fenderson, Jr. was born in Fairview, Virginia to the late Martha Goffigon Fenderson and Earnest Fenderson, Sr. on June 9, 1940.  He passed away peacefully in his home on March 17, 2024.

Earnest grew up in Fairview community and was educated in the Northampton County High School in 1958.  Earnest served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965 during the Vietnam Era and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.  He earned the rank of PFC and was honorably discharged.

In 1964 Earnest married Dornell Bailey and after 17 years of marriage, they were blessed with a daughter.  They remained married for 41 years until her passing in 2005.  In 2006 he married Joyce A Beckett and remained married to her until his passing.

Earnest had several hobbies when he was a young man and entertained his family members by juggling, spinning basketballs and doing bicycle tricks.  Earnest was outgoing and friendly.  He was well-known in the community for his laughter and sayings including "my money is funny and my change is strange" and "I'm blessed by the Best and praying for the rest".

During his life, Earnest worked at several places including Perdue Farms, G.L. Webster Canning Company, Exmore Foods and retired from Bayshore Concrete.  Earnest also was well-known in the community for his work as a plumber.  No matter the time, day or night, he would travel to people's homes and fix their plumbing.  He also collected trash and did numerous odd jobs for many people.

Earnest learned to respect and honor God at an early age while attending African Baptist Church in Cheriton, Virginia.  During his teenage years, Earnest sought the Lord in fervent prayer and Bible study even when he was on breaks at work and was led to Mt. Sinai Gospel Tabernacle in Fairview, Virginia.  Earnest accepted Christ into his life and testified that he was "saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost and that with a mighty burning fire!"

Earnest served faithfully under the ministries of the late Bishop Estella D. Smith, the late Bishop Helen O. Gillis and Bishop Ornia Dixon in many capacities over the years including church janitor, deacon, trustee, No. 2 Choir member, Senior Choir member and church elder - no task was too small for him.  Even in his older years, he made sure the church was suitable for worship - turning on the lights and heat, trimming hedges and completing any other necessary task.  In 2020, he was recognized for his years of service and named A Church Father.

Not only did he serve in the church in Fairview, but was also dedicated to the ministries in Norfolk- Crusaders for Christ and later Emmanuel Holy Temple.  He drove the church van for over 40 years transporting members to and from church in Norfolk.  Over the years he also served as a Sunday School Superintendent and assistant pastor.

In addition to his work in the local churches, he was also a member of the Board of Directors of Mt Sinai Church of Christ Deliverance, Inc. in which he served as a treasurer for many years.  He was honored at the Holy Convocation in November 2023 as a board member emeritus by Apostle Irvin Jackson.

Throughout the community and surrounding areas, Earnest was also known for his strong anointed singing voice.  He used his talent at numerous church services, funerals and revivals encouraging seekers during altar calls.  In additions to singing in choirs, he sang with the Gospel Redeemers as a young man and with the Men of Christ quartet during his later years.

Earnest was preceded in death by his parents, his youngest brother, Allen Fenderson and his wife Dornell.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his daughter Cheryl, his wife, Joyce, two brothers, James Fenderson and Jesse (Gloria) Fenderson, three sisters, Cecil Mae Collier, Flossie Fenderson and Juanita Williams, his brothers and sisters-in-law, a host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great nephews, a special niece who was like a daughter Alicia Gigantana, his close friend Thomas (Juanita) Godwin, cousins, three stepdaughters, Latoya (Shawn), Demekia and Erica, step grandchildren, his church family and many friends.

Thank you, Elder Earnest Fenderson, for living a life through which you "Let Jesus Lead You."  You were "No Coward Soldier" you knew that God wanted "Somebody That's Real" so you endured and kept the faith allowing God's "Grace and Mercy" to bring you through. Don't worry about us down here because "Everything is Gonna Be Alright. "Rest from your labor now because as you told us many times, "May the Work I've Done Speak for Me".