Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ernest Ermon Varner, II, a proud veteran of the United States Army, was born on 8 August 1950 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was the son of the late Mr. Ernest Ermon Varner, Sr., Reverend Dr. Andrew, and Peggy Sadler Bullard. Ernest who was affectionately known as “Butch” by his family and closest friends enjoyed reading, martial arts, and painting. He joined Rock Island Missionary Baptist Church at an early age.
Ernest’s formative years were dress rehearsals for the roles he would later play in life. His early training began in the Chattanooga School System where he began his formal study of art and culminated upon graduation from Riverside High School in 1968. His thirst for knowledge led him to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a minor in Art. While at UTC, Ernest was a charter member and Basileus of the Eta Beta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the first Black Greek Letter Organization chartered on 27 February 1971. Additionally, he served as the President of the Black Student Association. Ernest was also a charter member of the Xi Pi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, Inc., in Colorado Springs. In pursuit of higher learning opportunities, he attended Central Michigan University and earned a Master’s Degree in General Administration followed by studies in Counseling at Boston University.
On 28 April 1973, Ernest and Jacqueline Elaine Smith, his high school sweetheart, began their married lives together. Throughout their fifty-one years of marriage, they nurtured and mentored their nieces, nephews, and godchildren, who brought them immeasurable pride and joy…