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Ernest Askew, Jr.
Elizabeth City – Ernest “Ernie” Edward Askew, Jr., 69, passed away on February 11, 2024 in Albermarle Hospital in Elizabeth City, NC. Ernie was the son of the late Ernest E. Askew, Sr. and Ethel Parker Morgan Askew. He has also reunited with his cherished wife, Ann Cooper Askew who passed recently. Ernie was a caring, determined, and compassionate “Renaissance man” with many interests and talents. He had a deep need to care for others- probably rooted in overcoming the physical challenge of childhood Epilepsy and later suffering a near fatal brain aneurysm.
Born in Suffolk, VA and raised in Gates County, NC; Ernie spent an idyllic childhood hunting, fishing, and playing ball with neighborhood friends while also earning wages mowing lawns, working at the AAA Grocery store and later at Ashton Lewis lumber company. Ernie was a gifted athlete and helped the Gates County High School football team win the 1971 2A State Championship and was also named MVP of the golf team that year. After high school he moved to Nags Head to pursue a career in the golf industry at Sea Scape Golf Links under head pro Johnny Johnson. He then decided to give football another try and enrolled in Elon University to play but withdrew after the tragic loss of his nephew. He went back to the Outer Banks and worked as a waiter at Spencers and the Sea Fare restaurants at night and fell in love with surfing during the day. In his early 20’s, he returned home to Gates to accept a Physical Education teaching position at Sunbury School. He soon discovered he loved caring for kids and became a lady’s basketball coach.
Not long after returning home, Ernie suffered the brain aneurism while coaching a basketball game. He made a miraculous recovery which he attributes to the prayers of the children he taught in school. He then moved to Atlanta, Georgia and enrolled in Gumpton Jones Mortuary Science School and became a mortician. His job with Twifords lead him to Elizabeth City, NC where he later met and married the love of his life, Ann Cooper. The couple welcomed their son in 1986. Ernie immersed himself in fatherhood, coaching his son’s T-ball and basketball teams for several years and watching Duke basketball games together.
Soon after the birth of his son he left the funeral business and started a career in sales. He sold life insurance for a while and then vacuum cleaners. After deciding a more reliable line of work would greater benefit his family he pursued a Nursing education firrt at COA in Elizabeth City and finished at Norfolk State University. After achieving a Bachelors Degree in Nursing his passions lead him to working in local nursing homes tenderly caring for the residents. He would need his nursing skills later as he single-handedly administered at home dialysis treatments to his beloved Ann through her extended kidney illness. In more recent years Ernest stayed active playing golf, chasing his grandson in the yard, telling his favorite stories, furthering his research into the fate of the Lost Colony, and cuddling his granddaughter, Waverly.
Ernest leaves to celebrate his life one son Ernest E. “Trey” Askew, III; his daughter-in-law, Kaylee T. Askew; one grandson, Cooper T. Askew; one granddaughter Waverly V. Askew; his sister Elizabeth Huff; his niece Brooks Walker; his brother-in-law Gene Banks; his sister-in-law Coreen Banks; numerous extended family members and friends for life. Ernest’s preference for cremation will be honored and a memorial service will be held at Corinth Baptist Church in Elizabeth City, NC February 16, 2024 at 1 pm. Floral tributes may be delivered directly to church. Please share an expression of grace with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences
Trey, we are truly sorry for your loss. We will be praying for you and your family, and know that your faith in Christ will bring you peace.
Sorry to hear of your passing. May God bless your family in this time of sorrow.
Trey, I am in shock just hearing of this. My heart is breaking for you. May God be with you through this trying time.
We will always remember our times with Ernie growing up in Gatesville. Thinking of all his family and friends during this difficult time.
Dear Ernest and Kaylee and family, I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad. Fondly, Evelyn
Trey,sorry for your loss.I will miss my conversation with your dad in the morning we talked a lot about his life and mine too I hope to see you soon
My sincere condolences to the family. Ernie was a childhood friend growing up in Gatesville. We had many great times together and I went to his beautiful wedding to Ann. Ernie was always so friendly and will be missed by many.
Sorry for your loss, Elizabeth. May God comfort you during this difficult time. Blessings to you and your family.
Trey and family, we are so sorry to hear about your Dad. If we can do anything for you please let us know. Are thoughts are with you and your family.
Many happy memories of growing up in Gatesville and adventures shared with Ernie and friends. He was a special guy and will not be forgotten. Condolence to you and your family Trey. Ernie and I were born just hours apart and I will be thinking of him on the 24th. We celebrated many a birthday together as kids!
Dear Askew Family - Ernie and I worked together at Spenser's in the summer of 1976. We had a lot of lively times and laughs that year. I'm truly sorry to hear this news, he was a great guy and will be missed. Condolences from the Strayhorn family in Hillsborough.
Elizabeth so sorry to hear about your loss. Lots of fond memories of growing up in Gatesville. Prayers for your family. Take care.
I’m so sorry to hear of Ernie’s passing. I was his neighbor in Gatesville for a short time while my parents built our house just outside of town. I always enjoyed playing with Ernie and thought he was a very kind and thoughtful person. I am praying you all experience God’s grace and peace during this difficult time.
I am so sad to learn of Ernie’s death. He was always one of the most fun members of our class, and I am certain that we all will remember his mischievous smile! I hope that the prayers of friends and the many happy memories will be a comfort in the months to come.
I am so sorry to hear of Ernie's passing. I used to see him in Elizabeth City occasionally. I always thought of he, Elizabeth, and their mom and dad as wonderful people. Although we grow up, have families, move, etc., we remember our childhood friends fondly. Rest in peace, Ernie. You will be remembered kindly by many. I'm praying for Elizabeth and your family.
Praying for comfort and peace for the family. Ernie was a classmate of my brother, and Elizabeth was one of my classmates. Many experiences and fond memories! God bless you all.
I am sorry to hear about this. Ernie was always so kind and fun to be around. Hardy Jay Askew (cousin) passed this same week and day. They played rec basketball together and I am sure if they have a hoopm they are doing the same in Heaven together.
Trey, we will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
I will cherish the time we spent at our Gates County High School Class of 1972, 50th Class Reunion. Praying that God will continue to comfort, heal and sustain the Askew family during this journey of grief.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Ernie @ Britthaven. He was a very knowledgeable and caring caregiver. He talked about his family often and it was obvious he loved them very much.
TO TREY ASKEW & FAMILY: ALTHOUGH I MET YOU WITH ANNE ONE DAY IN ELIZABETH CITY, YOU WERE YOUNG THEN & PROBABLY DO NOT REMEMBER ME. YOUR MOM & I FIRST MET IN THE 1970'S THRU NANCY FERRELL & YOUR DAD ERNIE SOLD ME A VACUM IN 1984! I STILL HAVE THE VACUM & IT STILL RUNS, WORKS WELL!! YOUR PARENTS WERE ALWAYS LOVING & KIND TO ME IN THOSE YEARS, BUT WE LATER LOST TOUCH TIL I SAW YOU BOTH IN FOOD LION THAT DAY SO LONG AGO. I PRAY GOD'S PEACE ON YOU TO SEE YOU THRU THE COMING DAYS. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS. SINCERELY, NANCY D. SNEAD
Trey, we are truly sorry for your loss. We will be praying for you and your family, and know that your faith in Christ will bring you peace.
Sorry to hear of your passing. May God bless your family in this time of sorrow.
Trey, I am in shock just hearing of this. My heart is breaking for you. May God be with you through this trying time.
We will always remember our times with Ernie growing up in Gatesville. Thinking of all his family and friends during this difficult time.
Dear Ernest and Kaylee and family,
I’m so sorry to hear about your Dad.
Fondly,
Evelyn
Trey,sorry for your loss.I will miss my conversation with your dad in the morning we talked a lot about his life and mine too I hope to see you soon
My sincere condolences to the family. Ernie was a childhood friend growing up in Gatesville. We had many great times together and I went to his beautiful wedding to Ann. Ernie was always so friendly and will be missed by many.
Sorry for your loss, Elizabeth. May God comfort you during this difficult time. Blessings to you and your family.
Trey and family, we are so sorry to hear about your Dad. If we can do anything for you please let us know. Are thoughts are with you and your family.
Many happy memories of growing up in Gatesville and adventures shared with Ernie and friends. He was a special guy and will not be forgotten. Condolence to you and your family Trey. Ernie and I were born just hours apart and I will be thinking of him on the 24th. We celebrated many a birthday together as kids!
Dear Askew Family – Ernie and I worked together at Spenser’s in the summer of 1976. We had a lot of lively times and laughs that year. I’m truly sorry to hear this news, he was a great guy and will be missed. Condolences from the Strayhorn family in Hillsborough.
Elizabeth so sorry to hear about your loss. Lots of fond memories of growing up in Gatesville. Prayers for your family. Take care.
I’m so sorry to hear of Ernie’s passing. I was his neighbor in Gatesville for a short time while my parents built our house just outside of town. I always enjoyed playing with Ernie and thought he was a very kind and thoughtful person. I am praying you all experience God’s grace and peace during this difficult time.
I am so sad to learn of Ernie’s death. He was always one of the most fun members of our class, and I am certain that we all will remember his mischievous smile!
I hope that the prayers of friends and the many happy memories will be a comfort in the months to come.
I am so sorry to hear of Ernie’s passing. I used to see him in Elizabeth City occasionally. I always thought of he, Elizabeth, and their mom and dad as wonderful people. Although we grow up, have families, move, etc., we remember our childhood friends fondly. Rest in peace, Ernie. You will be remembered kindly by many. I’m praying for Elizabeth and your family.
Praying for comfort and peace for the family. Ernie was a classmate of my brother, and Elizabeth was one of my classmates. Many experiences and fond memories! God bless you all.
I am sorry to hear about this. Ernie was always so kind and fun to be around. Hardy Jay Askew (cousin) passed this same week and day. They played rec basketball together and I am sure if they have a hoopm they are doing the same in Heaven together.
Trey, we will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
I will cherish the time we spent at our Gates County High School Class of 1972, 50th Class Reunion.
Praying that God will continue to comfort, heal and sustain the Askew family during this journey of grief.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Ernie @ Britthaven. He was a very knowledgeable and caring caregiver. He talked about his family often and it was obvious he loved them very much.
TO TREY ASKEW & FAMILY:
ALTHOUGH I MET YOU WITH ANNE ONE DAY IN ELIZABETH CITY, YOU WERE YOUNG THEN & PROBABLY DO NOT REMEMBER ME. YOUR MOM & I FIRST MET IN THE 1970’S THRU NANCY FERRELL & YOUR DAD ERNIE SOLD ME A VACUM IN 1984! I STILL HAVE THE VACUM & IT STILL RUNS, WORKS WELL!! YOUR PARENTS WERE ALWAYS LOVING & KIND TO ME IN THOSE YEARS, BUT WE LATER LOST TOUCH TIL I SAW YOU BOTH IN FOOD LION THAT DAY SO LONG AGO. I PRAY GOD’S PEACE ON YOU TO SEE YOU THRU THE COMING DAYS. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.
SINCERELY,
NANCY D. SNEAD