A loving son, caring brother, a loyal servant, and a kind generous friend to many – that was Matt. Matt was stricken with a sudden and severe illness, on March 20, his 49th birthday, while working on a special project in Richmond, Virginia near his Virginia Beach home.
Matt was preceded in death by his loving and very dear Mother, Judy Ernest, and his precious grandparents. Matt is survived by his Dad, and his best Buddy, Lewis Wayne Ernest and his 2nd adopted mother who he loved dearly, Peggy Ernest of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He will be so much missed by his loving siblings: his sister, Kristi and her husband Jim Pritt, of Charleston, WV. His brother Marc and his wife Toshie, his niece and nephews, Rina, Kent and Kai Ernest all of Everett, Washington. His Aunt Robin Ernest and her husband, Dan of Huntington, WV. His stepbrothers, Alan and David Miller, and their families in Michigan and Ohio. Matt will be so terribly missed by many of his wonderful friends that he acquired during his lifetime. Especially, his longtime friend, John Fisher and John’s family that Matt adored.
Matt obtained his business management degree from Marshall University. He used his education, loyalty, and hard work ethic to succeed in the retail industry working faithfully for three major companies. He started and ended his career in the State of Virginia. For thirty years, Matt rose through the retail ranks and was moved to various locations through the Northeast. At each stopping point, he was quickly known to be a tough but fair leader with high moral standards, never asking for more than he was willing to give. Often, upon arriving at his new work assignments, he was known to be compared to a “big grizzly bear” but when he left the job, he was known to be a “big teddy bear”. Matt was a giant of a man and everywhere he went many stories have surfaced as to how he touched people with his kindness and generosity. He will be missed by many of his professional friends and co-workers, and the communities that he served.
Matt was born on March 20, 1972 in Charleston and was raised in Alum Creek, WV. It was there that he gained his Christian convictions, and his moral compass, which he carried though out his life. Service for family and friends will begin at 2pm, Monday, April 19, 2021, with visitation 1 hour before at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek, WV with Bishop Bryan Matthews officiating. Followed by a graveside service at Forks of Coal Cemetery.
For over three weeks, he was cared for by many wonderful health care workers at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System, Critical Care Hospital before his peaceful passing on April 14, 2021. Matt’s family would like to sincerely thank everyone on the VCU 4th Floor ICU unit for their loving care of Matt during his final days. During his brief illness, The Doorways, which is a hospitality house on the campus of VCU that allows families to stay close to their loved one’s while receiving medical care, lodged and cared for Matt’s family.
In lieu of flowers, the Ernest family would ask that donations be made to: The Doorways, In Memory of Matt Ernest, 612 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Additional information can be found at www.thedoorways.org or at 1-804-828-6901.
We are all very saddened to lose our Buddy, but the gates of heaven have swung open to receive the “big teddy bear”.
So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers for the family
Kristi so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
Our deepest condolences and prayers for your family. Matt sounds like he was a very special person.
My heart is so full of great memories of Matt and also such incredible sorrow to hear of his passing. I worked with Matt for many years with Kmart. We were partners in business but also friends. I regret that I lost contact with him this past year. Matt was a great man with a huge heart. He knew how to get the best out of people.
Matt had a great sense of humor and we would laugh and laugh about everything. I always knew that when I was with Matt he would look out for me. I know he loved his family and talked about them all the time. I am so sorry for your loss of a son and a brother. No words can bring him back but our memories live on. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
This is still so surreal but this is for Matt.
All that knew Matt would stop whatever we were doing , to go the distance for him. Which speaks to the man he was and how he impacted our lives . Matt was an extraordinary man, exceptional leader and most of all an honorable friend.
The “bottom line “ is that Matt made a difference in Our lives , that will never be forgotten . Rest in peace my brother, until we meet again.
Your Northeast Family
My heartfelt condolences goes to all of the Ernest family.
Matt was my Boss for just under 2 years, but in that short time he made a huge impact in my life. I’m most touched by the sentiment in his Obituary that stated He would come into new assignments and be looked at like a “big grizzly bear “..that is exactly what we all thought when we first encountered Matt, but soon after we all realized he was “a big teddy bear”. Matt was the best District Manager I have ever worked for, he was compassionate, driven, fair, understanding and most of all he had an expectation of excellence that was contagious. But, I feel his best quality, was that his number one priority was to take care of his people, because as he put it “ we are the heartbeat of our company”. His kindness and sincerity was genuine. He would ask for feedback, he truly valued what we thought of him. He would often call me and say “I owe you some time, what can I do for you today”? I will miss our weekly calls and chats. Rest In Peace, Matt. I promise I will do my best to continue to “take the emotion” out of my decisions. You will be dearly missed.
Mr.Ernest, your Son touched so many of our lives, I know I speak for the entire Big Lots D118 family when I tell you that we are all better leaders by having been lead by Matt. Please know we had the utmost love and respect for him and we will deeply miss him. Our prayers and love are with you and your entire family, we are sincerely sorry for your loss.
You are truly missed Matt. It was a true pleasure to have know and worked you. Our Lord has called you to come home now.
On behalf of the associates from Kmart 7725 in Rehoboth Beach DE we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Ernest family. When Matt came to our store and it was like a whirlwind and at first a little scary. When he left us to advance in his career as a district manager there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. We all learned so much from him and I would like to think became better people and workers because of him. We were so fortunate to have him as our store manager.
Matt’s passing has us so saddened. Our hearts break for all of your family with your loss. We pray for strength and comfort during this very difficult time.
Although we first met Matt as a boss he became a true friend whose compassion and generosity were hallmarks of his personality. RIP Matt. Fly high with the angels. Our sincere condolences go out to the entire Ernest family.
It is unfortunate too often in life that we loose touch with those who once were part of our daily lives, but life unfortunately takes us each down a winding road of our own further away from each other and we fail to keep in touch with those who had a great impact on us and enriched our lives. We wait to long to pick up a phone or send a message to cover what has gone on in each other’s lives. Matt and I were partners in crime in a strange city arriving at the same time each with a challenging situation and a tough nut to crack. He helped me to get through the storm and I hope in some small way I was able to do the same for him. As if almost planned by fate in part of grand plan a neighborhood bar stood exactly .65 miles between our two Kmarts in the Bronx NY. Matt and I shared more than a few beers after a challenging day at a place where everyone knows your name. I’d tell my stories and Matt would tell his and at the end of an hour or two we each helped each other to deal with the challenges ahead and move on to the next day.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Matts family whom he spoke of often and fondly. Thank you for sharing him with his extended retail families over many states. I am sure we are all better people and coworkers for having known him. What any of us would give to be able to make that phone call or to send that message to tell him that.
We wish to express our deep condolences to the Ernest family. We know he will be greatly missed. We did not have the pleasure of meeting Matt, but we have known his Dad & Peggy for many years and what a wonderful family they are. I know they will miss his visits to Florida. We wish the family the best and we send our prays and love.
I ran Matt’s Kmart home store in Connecticut when he had our district. I found him to be a very firm but fair district manager with an amazing work ethic. He taught us a lot about the business and being disciplined. He used to tell me if your not 30 days ahead, then you’re 30 days behind. I’m a better planner and manager because of him. I remember how excited he would get when he had a trip planned to see his dad. You could tell how much he adored him. My deepest condolences to Matt’s entire family. Although his time on earth was short, he definitely left a huge impact on so many of us.
I send my deepest condolences to the entire Ernest family. Matt made a huge impact on me and my career as my DM at Kmart in Somers Point NJ. He had such a unique way to articulate his point through stories about his childhood. I still use his “painting the fence” story with my associates to this day. His memory will live on with the thousands of people he has impacted. He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with Matt Ernest family. Matt was a good friend and leader , He was passionate About his work and friends. I will always remember the things he taught me to help me in my career.
Our most sincere condolences to Matt’s family.
It is with great sadness that we must say goodbye to our Boss and friend.
The short time that he was with us, we learned a lot from him and respected him highly. He expected the best from us all and helped us on that journey to greatness. He would always be there to make sure we were ok and did what he could to help us achieve our goals. He was always there when we needed him. He will truly be missed by the Big Lots District 118 team.
397 Norfolk Va.
472 Suffolk Va.
810 Chesapeake Va.
823 Newport News Va.
1207 Roanoke Rapids NC
1361 Yorktown Va.
1821 Rocky Mount NC
1891 Elizabeth City NC
5183 Wilson NC
5187 Gloucester Va.
5335 Chesapeake Va.
5349 Virginia Beach Va.
5357 Norfolk Va.
5411 Hampton Va.
5368 Williamsburg Va.
RIP Matt, until we meet again!
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Matt was a wonderful person. Always fair and was so easy to talk too. Prayers to his family during this difficult time
My thoughts and prayers go out to Matt’s family. He was a great friend to me. I will forever remember his kindness and compassionate way
I enjoyed working with Matt. He will be missed. My heart goes out to his family
Deepest sympathy for the loss of Matt. Take comfort in your memories and know your love for him, and him for you, will go on for eternity.
So sorry for your loss, He was a great boss to those of use at Kmart 7725 in Rehoboth Beach Delaware. He will be missed and thought of often. Matt was like family to us . Again so sorry for his family . John 5 : 28,29 and Revelation 21: 3-5 my Prayers are with you .
My condolences to the entire Ernest family, Matt was one of the best DM’s I have had the pleasure to work for. He had such a way about him that was so perfectly descriptive above, and I still use some of his techniques to this day. I am so sorry for your loss, I will never forget Matt or what he has done to help me with my career and the mark he has left in retail. He will be missed and remembered daily.
Deepest condolences and prayers for Matt’s family. it was an honor to work with Matt on many projects. He was a retail genius and a great friend.