Ernest Theodore Salyer went peacefully to Heaven on April 10th, 2026, surrounded by his family at home. He was 81 years old.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Salyer, father, Theodore “Buster” Salyer, brothers, Doug, Estal Ray, Larry, Mitchell, and Ishmel Salyer, and a sister, Anita Williams.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Brenda, his son, Teddy (Debbie) Salyer, and two daughters, Sherry (Chip) Summerford and Cindy (Rodney) Cooper, as well as four granddaughters, Courtney (Garrett) Keenum, Leigha (Quinton) Webster, Nina (Glen) Born, and Cameron (Justin) Manion, and a great-granddaughter, Jaida Garcia. Additionally, he is survived by five brothers, Tommy, Eugene, Bobby, JD, and Keith Salyer, and three sisters, Bonnie Bailey, Freda Russell, and Angelee Ward.
He served in the Army for 23 years and retired as a Chief W2 Warrant Officer. His family and friends loved hearing stories of his many travels while participating in missile defense missions in Germany, Greece, and Jordan, among other countries. He was a medic with Hemsi and North Marshall EMS for 20 years. Ernest was known best for his contagiously uplifting and room brightening smile. Other patients at the dialysis clinic shared how his smile, prayers, and encouragement carried them through their treatments. Among other passions were his love for fishing, Cheetos, and playing Rook with his large family. Most importantly, he was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Ernest served as Sunday School Superintendent at Community Baptist Church and loved singing gospel hymns in their unofficial choir, encouraging others in worship no matter how he was feeling physically. He was an animal lover, caring for many family dogs and attempting to feed every bird in Hebron, Alabama. While he will be so greatly missed here on Earth, family and friends are praising our gracious God that he is now in a new body and in his forever home!
Visitation Sunday 5 to 8 pm at NHFH. Service Monday at 12 pm at NHFH Chapel with Mark Askew and Gary Paseur officiating. Pallbearers will be Justin Manion, Garrett Keenum, Glen Born, Ochel Kimbler, Brian Smiley and Jason Bridges.
Burial at Walker Cemetery.
