Ernest James Black Sr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members, at UPMC Hamot Hospital, Erie, Pa., on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Ernest was born in Manhattan, NY, to the late Virginia Mae Black. After the death of his mother, Ernest was adopted and raised by Annie White.

Ernest attended and graduated from Academy High School in Erie, PA, in 1966. Ernest was baptized and received the Holy Ghost at an earlier age in life.

Ernest worked at Erie Forge and Steel and Haysite Plastic. From June 25, 1979, til his death, Ernest (known on the job as Ernie) was employed at Urick Foundry as a Master Millwright for 46 years. He was a Union Representative, Steel Worker Union, and on the Safety Committee.

Deacon was affiliated with the late Bishop Harrison from Martinsville, Virginia, before coming to Faith Bible Tabernacle Church in the 1990s under the leadership of the late Bishop Nathan S. Halton. Deacon Black held different positions at the church. He taught the Save to Serve Class, served on the Board of Directors and the Deacon Board, and was a Chaplain at the Attic Prison, where he and other saints would go once a month to teach the men up until Covid. He even played the trumpet for years at the church. Deacon Black ministered and taught Bible Study for the Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Erie, PA. while they were transitioning to a new Pastor.

Deacon loved to discuss the Bible with you; no matter where you were, he would tell you something the Bible said. It was also nothing for him to give you a Holy Ghost handshake (being a blessing to others). My Lord, please get out of his way when the Holy Ghost hit him in church (especially when he played the trumpet). You just might get the machine gun hand. Deacon Black has many names in and out of church: Slick (because of the way he dressed), EJ, Dad, Grandpa, Granddad, Papa, EPA, Pops, Uncle Harpo, and Big Fella and Big Guy.

In 2005, Ernest met and married his wife of 20 years, Karlene, and with this blended union, they have a total of 9 children that he leaves to cherish his memories. (4) daughters: Patricia (Tony) Spencer, Celena Mingo Black, Henrietta Polk, Elisha Boyd. (5) sons: Ernest Black Jr., MichaelJohn (Heather) Bassham, Thomas Black, Marlon Grant, and Philip Green, 26 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Also survived by the extended Knight family.

Preceded in death by 3 great-grandchildren.