Obituary of Ernest Benjamin Womble

On Friday, October 30, 2009, after a lengthy battle with illness, God called home one of His soldiers, ERNEST BENJAMIN WOMBLE, to be enlisted in the army of saints. On September 5, 1931 in Baltimore, Maryland, Ernest was born as the only child to the union of Joseph Benjamin Womble and Marian (Deane) Womble. Ernest was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, served as an accomplished athlete in basketball and later graduated from Douglass High School in 1949. He continued his education by matriculating into Morgan State University, where his passion to serve his community and country led him to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. Ernest was united in marriage to Evelyn (West) in 1954. From this union, five children were born; three sons and two daughters. One son, Eric Benjamin Womble, preceded him in death. "Ernie B/' as he was affectionately known by his family, also began his career as a steel worker at Bethlehem Steel. He was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church where he also sang with the male chorus. These years marked his introduction to God's grace and his initial steps in his Christian walk. During the 1960's, Ernest's charismatic nature led him to become an active worker in community services and local politics. As the man who was the foot soldier to get the vote out and build voter registration, he helped local politicians get elected through his grassroots campaign participation. In conjunction with his political savvy and articulate self expression, Ernest was appointed the title "The Senator". During his many years of working at Bethlehem Steel, he also served as a union representative for the AFL-CIO. In fact, "The Senator's" list of political involvement included working with the Board of Elections, political liaison/lobbyist for the Democratic Party, 1st Vice President for The Peoples Democratic Action Organization, and a host of others. He advocated especially for his children to become registered voters by age eighteen. Subsequent to his time at Bethlehem Steel, Ernest then moved to the City of Baltimore's Department of Public Works. He later transitioned into the City's compliance department, where he diligently served until he became ill. Given his years of faithful and exemplary services to the city of Baltimore, he was recognized for such services with a Certificate of Merit from the former Mayor Kurt 1. Schmoke. His contributions to the civic well being of the city was I a source of personal pride for him and his family. On the personal side, Ernest's favorite pastime was watching game shows, all types of sports and listening to the "Blues", particularly "B.B. King." He was an avid enthusiast of the "Jeopardy" game show and enjoyed all "old western" movies, with "Gunsmoke" being one of his favorites. Ernest leaves a legacy to be cherished, admired and remembered by those who know and love him: a loving and devoted wife, Evelyn, known as "Cindy;" two sons, Ernest O. vV'bmble and Elliott M. Womble; two daughters, Evette Lesesne and Evonne Womble-Harris; two sons-in-law, Darryl Lesesne and Donnell Harris; one daughter-in-law, Dorothy; two former daughters-in-law, Angela "Angie" and Phyllis; nine grandchildren, Shanelle (Lee), Shawn, Eric (Erin), Shantelle, Tiffany, Christopher, Cherise, Jasmine and [irard; three great-grandchildren, Eric, Ryane and Elisa; one brother-in-law, James C. West and sister-in-law, Ruth West (Willingboro, NJ); sister-in-law, Hattie P. West (Suffolk, VA); and a host of other relatives and friends.