Mr. Earnest Lee Walton a resident of Eatonton, Georgia passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Athens, Georgia at Saint Mary's Hospital. Mr. Walton was born September 5, 1936 in Eatonton, Georgia to parents Pastor Charlie and Mary L. Walton. Earnest joined Jefferson Baptist church at an early age and received his education at the Jefferson Community School in Putnam County. As his schooling ended, Earnest Lee would go on to be employed as a dairyman and later for The International Paper Company.

Earnest married Shirley Ford at a youthful age; their union was blessed with eight children. Family was important to Earnest. He loved having family gatherings under the big tree and dinner on Sundays. He loved to have fun and was known for cracking jokes on everyone. He never met a stranger. Earnest was known to patrol Harmony Road to make sure that everything and everyone was in order.

Earnest was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jerry Walton; grandson, Brandon Dontae Farley; sisters and brothers, Eva Julia McCloud, Sallie Mae Walton, Dorthy V. Hill, Dennie B. Walton, Charlie Walton, Jr., Willie James Walton, Alex M. Walton, and Larry E. Walton.

He leaves to cherish his memories his daughter, Nina Ford, Earnestine Thompkins (Rev. Samuel), Linda Walton, Ruth Farley, and Tracy Rozier; sons, Henry Walton (Mary Ann) and Hersey Walton; sister, Marie Griffin; brothers, Ralph Walton and Harry Walton (Doris); 21 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews. cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will begin Wednesday, July 26, 2023 with viewing and visitation at Bernard's Eatonton Chapel from 3:00-6:00 P.M.. A Celebration of his Life will be held Thursday morning, July 27, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at Jefferson Baptist Church, 495 Harmony Road, Eatonton, Georgia with Pastor Tracy Rozier officiating and the Reverend Samuel Thompkins presenting the eulogy. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery.

H. Bernard Holston, Sr. and the staff of Bernard's Family Funeral Care are honored to have been chosen to serve the Walton Family.