Ernest Watley
Jr.Ernest Lee Watley Jr., 73, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2013, at a local healthcare facility.He was born in Rome, Ga., on Nov. 22, 1939. He is a graduate of Howard High School Class of 1959. He served in both the United States Army and the United State National Guard, where he was awarded Soldier of the Cycle in 1969.He received a degree from Chattanooga State Community College and furthered his education at both the University of Kentucky and the University of Alabama. He was employed at DuPont then served as assistant director of the Chattanooga Human Resource Development Institute and as a recruiter for the Chattanooga Apprenticeship Outreach Program. He is mostly known for being the owner of Johari Restaurant and Lounge. Ernest retired from the Chattanooga Area Urban League where he was the Contract Compliance Coordinator. He was a member of the Allen Temple AME Church.Ernest is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Lee Watley Sr. and Sara Watley-Banks; sister, Annie Marie Watley; uncle, Jessie Heath; aunt, Ruby Heath-Lyas; uncle, Roy Heath; and nephew, Jerome Simpson.He leaves to celebrate his memory his wife, Maria Ann Watley; sons, Victor Flanagan I, Tracy (Jennifer) Jackson; daughter, Libra Jackson; brothers, Gordon, Vernon and Charles Watley; sister, Mary Fredson; aunt, Thelma Ringer; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, caregivers and great friends.Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, July 26, 2013 in the chapel with the Rev. Archie Griffin officiating.Interment in National Cemetery.The body will lie in state after noon today and the family will receive friends from 68 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.
Published July 25, 2013