OBIT: Rev. Ernest Ernelda (Toby) Blair
Rev. Ernest Ernelda (Toby) Blair, 89, of Nashville, formerly of Dillard’s Creek/Chestnut Mound, died on Monday, November 19, 2018 at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro, TN after a short illness. He is survived by his wife of seventy-two years, Ethel Lois (Shoemake); son Dennis Glen Blair (Beverly) of Fernley, NV; daughter Diana Blair Revell (David) of Nashville, and foster sons John and Jerry Wong of Macon County, TN; brothers Wilburn (Dorothy) of Cookeville, Frank (Doris) of Christiana, sister Bessie Napier of Lebanon; grandchildren Jim Tishlarich (Wendy) of Wilton, CA, Angela Thuesen (Joseph) of Cameron Park, CA, Jena Drew of Fernley, NV, Jade Graham (Anjie) of Gladeville, TN, and John Graham (Vicky) of Brentwood, TN. He was preceded in death by parents Shafter and Effie Blair; brothers Hugh Lee, Wesley, and Oshel; and sisters Elois Reece, Virginia Huff, and Margaret Porch.
He attended Dillard’s Creek School, Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy, Tennessee Tech University, Cumberland University, and graduated from Belmont College in 1960. He received a Master of Theology degree in 1964 from Mill Valley Baptist Seminary, Mill Valley, California, and further studies in education in Billings, Montana.
Ernest pastored churches in Baxter, Boma, Norene, Cedar Creek, and Leeville in TN; Pittsburg in CA; Forsythe and Lewistown in Montana. His final parish was Granville United Methodist Church in Granville,TN. In addition, he served as a teacher, insurance agent, salesman, and farmer in addition to other jobs prior to, and through, college and seminary studies. He loved teaching most. He enjoyed music, gardening, his children, seven grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren.
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A memorial service will be held at Granville United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 29, at 11:00 AM. Memorials appreciated to Alive Hospice of Murfreesboro, 1629 Williams Rd, Murfreesboro, TN or Granville United Methodist Church.
