Ernest Bone, 75, departed this life on Monday, January 26, 2026, in Virginia Beach, VA. He was born in Huntsville, AL on April 17, 1950, to Christine Kelly Bone Humphrey and Joseph Bone, Sr. He was, however, raised by his loving stepfather David Mack Humphrey.
Ernest matriculated through the Huntsville City School system and graduated from S.R. Butler High School in 1969. He continued his studies in Birmingham, AL where he studied electronics technology at United Electronics Institute and graduated in August 1971.
He relocated to Norfolk, VA where he secured employment as an Aircraft Electrical Worker at the Naval Air Rework Facility. Ernest advanced his career and became a journeyman Aircraft Electrician and later worked his way up to become a Quality Assurance Specialist at the Defense Logistics Agency in Richmond, VA. During this time, he also served as a union official, for which he was quite proud to represent his colleagues.
Ernest loved exercising, listening to gospel music and watching television with his favorites being golf, tennis, and sci-fi. Oh, and we cannot forget, he was a natural comedian.
Ernest accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He joined Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in 1975 under the leadership of Dr. Raymond Dean but later moved away from the area. After relocating to Woodbridge, Virginia, he joined Ebenezer Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Lundy. At Ebenezer, he was a member of the Men’s Ministry and the Male Choir. Ernest relocated back to the Hampton Roads area many years later and rejoined Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Shelton Murphy. He was a faithful member who served on the Executive Leadership Ministry (ELM), sung in the Male Choir, and willingly volunteered his services to assist with maintenance issues as the opportunity arose.
Ernest retired from his federal career with over thirty-five years of civilian federal service. He is preceded in death by his parents Christine Kelly Bone Humphrey, Joseph Bone, and his stepfather, David Humphrey.
Sisters: Edna Pearl Davis, Earline Bone and Jessy Mae Toney
Brothers: Joseph Bone, Jr., Charles Bone, and Sammie Bone (Augusta)
He is survived by daughters LaMia Smartt of Huntsville, AL and Nekiesha Edler (Jeffery).
Grandchildren: Antoine Bone, Sr. (LaQuita), Brielle Walker (Jamale), and Brian Hubbard II (Aniyah)
Great grandchildren: Za’Mariyah Bone, Karter Bone, Antoine Bone, Jr., and Nylah Walker
Living Siblings include his sister Janet Ford (Willie), his brothers William (Bill) Humphrey and Herbert Humphrey, and a Sister-in-Law Augusta Bone. All of Huntsville, AL.
He was blessed with many nieces, nephews and other relatives and extended family and friends.
He was loved by many and will be tremendously missed.
Mr. Ernest Bone was born and raised here in Huntsville, AL, but relocated to Norfolk, VA.
Funeral service for Mr. Ernest Bone will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at the Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church (1057 Kennedy Street Norfolk, VA 23513).
The Bone family will receive guests from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday, February 9, 2026 at the Graves Funeral Home (1631 Church St.
Norfolk, VA 23504).
