Ernest H. Smith III

Sunrise – March 16, 1963

Sunset – October 13, 2021

Ernest H. Smith, III was born March 16, 1963 to Dr. Ernest H. Smith, Jr. and Fay D. Smith of Lawrence, N.J.

On Wednesday, October 13, 2021 Ernest departed this life for eternal rest.

Ernest, lovingly referred to as Ernie, grew up in Lawrence NJ. He attended and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1981. Ernie grew up enjoying and excelling in athletics including little league baseball and eventually high school varsity basketball and track & field.

Ernie gave his life to Christ at the age of 19 on March 13, 1983. He loved the Lord and was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Langhorne choir where his mother was the choir director and many of his aunts, uncles and cousins also sang. His favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5-6, “5Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Ernie graduated from Lawrence High School and attended Norfolk State University. Following his college attendance Ernie began working for United Parcel Service (UPS), where he spent 10 years. Ernie eventually branched off and was self-employed before joining his uncle at Horton Landscaping. Ernie found ACE Stone and happily remained employed there for 18 years. He truly loved his job at ACE where he found his forever work family, the Parascando’s. Many friends and loved ones relished seeing Ernie around town in his big red dump trunk honking as he passed.

Ernie married his soulmate and the love of his life, Sharon Louise Barclay on November 6, 2004. Ernie has four children, Brandon D. Smith, Jameel Spruill, Shakira T.J. Bryant, and Ashley N. Gideon.

Ernie’s favorite past time was raising and spending time with his grandchildren. He was lovingly referred to as “Bop-Bop”. His pride and joy was his “Bop-Bop’s Daycare” which he ran during his winter layoff months from ACE. He loved doing his granddaughter’s hair and sneaking them treats.

Ernie loved old black & white movies, Western movies, driving his dump trucks, spending time with his family and shopping with his wife. When you saw one, you saw the other often dressed alike. He had countless relatives which he loved traveling to visit.

Ernest is preceded in death by his grandparents Matthew (PopPop) and Gladies (Maymom) Horton and Ernest Sr (Papa) and Ruth (Mama) Smith and his mother-in-law Gertrude Barclay (Momma Gert).

Ernie was a loving son, brother, husband, and father. He leaves to cherish his memories, the love of his life Sharon Louise Smith, Brandon D. Smith of Philadelphia PA, Jameel Spruill of Morrisville PA, Shakira T.J. Bryant of Ewing NJ, and Ashley N. Gideon (Tyrell) of Pikesville MD. His parents, Dr. Ernest H. Smith, Jr. and Fay D. Smith of Lawrence NJ, sisters Terry D. Brown of Chantilly VA, and Tina Y. Smith of Camp Springs MD. Niece and nephews, Morgan Brown, Benjamin Brown, Christian Smith. Grandchildren, Denver Hodges, Raine Thompson and Dallas Meyers and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be 12pm Monday, October 25, 2021 at First Baptist Church-Langhorne, Langhorne, Pennsylvania, 215 E Richardson Ave, Langhorne, PA 19047. Calling hours will be 10am until the time of service. Interment will be at Ewing Church Cemetery, Ewing, NJ. Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home.

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