Earnest Lee Morton, 71 of Toledo, OH departed this life on June 6th surrounded by loving family. Earnest was the second of ten children born to the late Reverend Eddie L. Morton Jr. and Lillie B. Morton in Halls, TN. At the age of 15, Earnest relocated with his family to Toledo, OH where he attended and graduated Scott High School in 1968. Earnest worked for General Motors Powertrain Division for over 37 years before retiring in 2006.
Earnests' three main passions were God, family and fishing. He enjoyed getting away with his fishing buddies to explore some of his favorite spots on Lake Erie whenever he had time and bringing back "the catch of the day" to share with friends and family. Earnest married his ultimate love, Jawonia in 1982 and to this union, two children were born. Earnest fully gave his heart to The Lord in 1981 and served faithfully under the leadership of the late Dr. Helen L. Brown at Trinity Faith Tabernacle Deliverance Center until her death. He then followed God's instructions and began to support his father Rev. Eddie Morton Jr. at The Mt Carmel Missionary Baptist Church where he was later installed as Pastor in 2013. He continued on in this position until the time of his illness. Earnest always said "God put a zeal in my heart to witness for Him according to His word that souls might be saved".
Earnest was preceded in death by his parents; Rev. Eddie and Sis Lillie Morton, sisters; Judy Morton and Emma Griffin and grandchildren; Christopher and Mackenzie.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 39 years, Jawonia; children; Earnest (Vera) Morton, Nicole Ross-Byrd, Robert (Tracie) Morton, Daniel Morton, Kimberly (Robert) Morton-Green and Jonathon Morton; grandchildren; Bethany Weir, Chad Hester, Raiqwon Morton, Kourtney Green and Riley Morton along with 3 great-grandchildren; siblings; Patsy Morton, Johnny (Karen) Morton, Danny Morton, Patricia Morton, Randy Morton and Catherine (Orlando) Russell; mother-in law Bishop Johnnie M. Walker; spiritual mother; Mother Johnnie King; special "little sister" Brenda Mitchell; close friends; Pastor Louis Self and Clay Brown along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other family and friends.
The family would like to give special acknowledgment to the providers and staff of The Toledo Hospital and Promedica Hospice. Additionally, the family would like to thank the Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist and Majestic Praise church family lead by Pastor and First Lady Self for their tireless support, prayers and love.
John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.