Ernest A. Underwood of Leighton, Alabama was born to William Thurston Underwood and Linda Uhlman Underwood on March 18, 1939, and passed away at his home on Wednesday night, June 19, 2024, at the age of 85.
Mr. Underwood believed the gospel, confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, and was baptized at Valley Grove Baptist Church as a boy. He was a member of Leighton Baptist Church, where he served for many years as a deacon. He also served on several church committees. This year the deacon body and church recognized him as a deacon emeritus.
He served in the Alabama National Guard 115th Signal Battalion in the mid-1960s.
He was married to the former Alice Camille Hill for 60 years. He and Camille reared two sons, Chris and Kerry.
Mr. Underwood was a graduate of Colbert County High School. He played football for the legendary Coach C.T. Manley and basketball. He held football season tickets for many years and was a lifetime member of the Leighton Athletic Booster Club.
Mr. Underwood worked for Norfolk Southern Railway for more than 35 years. He was a switchman and conductor at the Sheffield Rail Yard. He served on the loan committee of the Railway Employees Credit Union for several years.
Mr. Underwood was preceded in death by his parents, Thurston and Linda Underwood.
He is survived by his wife, Camille Underwood of Leighton; by sons, Chris Underwood (Kelly) of Florence and Kerry “Bubba” Underwood (Anna) of Tuscumbia; by grandson, Walker Underwood; by granddaughters, Christina Underwood and Katie Beth Underwood; by step-grandchildren, Holly Vinson (Tyler), Victoria Devaney (Josh), and Faith Ezzell (Landon), by stepgreat-grandchildren, Vivianne Vinson, Luke Devaney and Jon Bradford Vinson; by brothers, McCoy Underwood (Patricia) and Larry Underwood, both of Leighton; by sister, Wanda Thompson (David) of Tuscumbia; by numerous nieces and nephews, and by a host of Underwood, Uhlman and Counts cousins.
Visitation will be Sunday, June 23, 2024, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home in Tuscumbia. The funeral will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Leighton Baptist Church, with Rev. Mark Mayfield and Rev. Scott Price officiating. Interment will be in Glendale Cemetery. Deacons of Leighton Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers.
Mr. Underwood’s family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to a large extended family, to the pastor, deacons and members of Leighton Baptist Church, to Hospice of North Alabama, to nurse Ginny Dotson, nurse Bonnie Dean, and to weekend nurse Jenny Skipworth. We are so grateful for Dad’s sitters: Machelle Williams, Kelly Hulsey, Amy Kerby, Danielle McDill, Amy Williams, Annette Puckett, and Cindy Orick. Each of you blessed Ernest and us with your concern, visits, and acts of love.
Instead of flowers, please consider contributing a financial gift in Mr. Underwood’s memory to the Leighton Baptist Church youth missions or building fund.
Please visit morrisonfuneralhomes.com to leave tributes and condolences for the family.
