Obituary for Ernest Carlton Hedges Jr. Ernest Carlton Hedges, Jr., age 88, of Jefferson City, TN passed away Friday, April 20, 2018 at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. The only child of Ernest C. and Olive Irene (Corbin) Hedges, Sr He was born on July 12, 1929 in Alexandria, VA.
In his early childhood, he lived in Washington, D.C. Later his family moved to Suitland, MD, a suburb of Washington. He was preceded in death by his father Ernest C. Hedges, Sr. and his mother Olive Irene (Corbin) Hedges. Ernest, Jr., (Ernie) married his high school sweetheart Jean Estella Smith on January 28, 1950.
His 5th Infantry Marine Corps Battalion Reserve Unit was mobilized in July, 1950 due to the Korean War. He served in the Guard Company at Camp LeJeune, N.C. Later he was assigned to take fifteen P. F.C.’s to the 8th & I Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. This is the oldest marine post in the Marine Corp established by president Thomas Jefferson.
The U.S. Marine Corps Commandant has his home on this base. Ernie served on the ceremonial unit and the famous Silent Drill Platoon. In 1951 his unit served as honor guards for Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain).
She was representing her father King George, who was too ill to come to the U.S. At this time, Ernie’s unit participated in many, many marine funerals in Arlington National Cemetery while the war in Korea was being bitterly fought by the Chinese. . Ernie was discharged from active duty in January 1952.
He and Jean had their first child, Deborah Jean that year. Three years later they had their second child, Russell Dwain. Ernie at this time worked as a plumber for his Father-In-Law, Linwood E. Smith.
Unfortunately, on August 24, 1954, Ernie had to recover Mr. Smith’s body from a work place accident. Ernie then decided he needed a better education if he was going to be able to support his family. He, Jean and two children packed up their belongings and came to Jefferson City, TN.
. Ernie enrolled in the Carson-Newman’s summer semester of 1957. He completed his college education in three and one half years.
Their third child, Carolyn Ruth was born in Jefferson City. After graduation, the family moved back to Washington, D.C. where Ernie obtained a position with the Library of Congress and he attended graduate school at the University of Maryland. He became the Head of the Cataloging Distribution Section He retired from the Library in December, 1989 after twenty eight years of service.
Jean and Ernie moved back to Jefferson City in 1990. They became active members in the First Baptist Church . Ernie served on the Jefferson County Library Board.
He served as president of the Jefferson City Library Friends of the Library. He volunteered for many years at the Jefferson County Archives. Until his death he was still volunteering at the First Baptist Church Media Center.
He spoke to many community organizations and individual City Council members and mayors in an effort to get their support for building a new city public library. He is survived by his wife Jean Estella (Smith) Hedges, daughter Deborah Jean (Hedges) and husband Jim Selland of Arizona, grandson Jonathan Selland of Arizona, grandson Joshua Selland of Texas, granddaughter Nicole (Selland) and husband German Ospina, of California, great-grandson Elliston and great-granddaughter Anika of California; grandson Nathan Vaughn and wife Christine (Botsford) of Maryland, and great-granddaughter Alexandra and great-grandson Nicolas of Maryland; son Russell and wife Dana (Milligan) Hedges of Tullahoma, TN and grandson Aaron and wife Allison ( Jarvinen) of Minnesota, and great-granddaughter Estella Mae of Minnesota and great-grandson Theodore Alvin of Minnesota, grandson Barrett Hedges and wife Twila (Olson) of Canada, and grandson Corbin Hedges and wife Adrianne (Leo) of Jefferson City, TN, and granddaughter Cara (Hedges) and husband Andrew Best of Memphis, TN. , daughter Carolyn Ruth (Hedges) and husband David Lane Johnson of Knoxville, TN.
, and granddaughter Maureen Johnson and fiancee Thomas Madray of Manchester, New Hampshire. Brother-In-Law Linwood Earl (Buddy) and wife Karen (Snyder) Smith, Jr, Jefferson City, TN. A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, TN on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. noon, with Rev.
Ellen Di Giosia and Rev. Bill Rosser presiding. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
Inurnment to follow in the Westview Cemetery, Jefferson City, TN with military honors. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Benevolence Committee , First Baptist Church, 1610 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN. 37760.
Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home, 411 W. Broadway Blvd, Jefferson City, TN 37760 865-475-3892 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ernest Carlton Hedges Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Receiving of Friends 2018 APR 25. 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM First Baptist Church of Jefferson City 1610 Russell Avenue Jefferson City, TN, US Order Flowers for the Receiving of Friends Guaranteed delivery before Ernest’s Receiving of Friends begins.
Celebration of Life 2018 APR 25. 12:00 PM First Baptist Church of Jefferson City 1610 Russell Avenue Jefferson City, TN, US Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Guaranteed delivery before Ernest’s Celebration of Life begins.
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