Ernest Killum Obituary in Decatur at Donald Trimble Mortuary, Inc.

Obituary For Ernest Killum

Mr. Ernest Killum, of Stone Mountain, passed Thursday, June 11, 2020. Celebration of Life Services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2020, 1:00 P.M. at The Chapel of Donald Trimble Mortuary.

Earnest Killum, was born in Duncan, Mississippi on June 11, 1948, to the late Robert Keller, Sr. and Viola Thomas.

Earnest was adopted and raised by his aunt and uncle, Beatrice and Albert Williams, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He excelled as a student athlete, graduating from Coahoma Agricultural High School, in 1966. After high school, Earnest attended Coahoma Junior College for two years, where he was an outstanding student and athlete. On the basketball team, he was Team Captain, and leading scorer; where he still holds several records. Upon graduation, he continued his education at Stetson University, in Deland, Florida, there he continued his dominance as a basketball star. In his two seasons in DeLand, Earnest averaged 24.9 points per game, including 25.6 points during his senior season. Both marks are still school records. For his accomplishments, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, at both Coahoma Community College, and Stetson University. He was also inducted into the Mississippi Community College Sports Hall of Fame, in 2012; and the Clarksdale-Coahoma County Sports Hall of Fame, in 2013.

Earnest was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, in the second round of the 1970 NBA Draft. He spent one season with the Lakers, playing alongside the likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jim McMillan, and Jerry West. An ankle injury limited Earnest to just four games that season, ultimately concluding his professional career after playing two years in Spain and Portugal.

In 1974, Earnest settled in the Atlanta area and chose to begin his career in Education with the DeKalb County School System as a Physical Education teacher. He was selected as the Head Men’s basketball coach at Gordon High School, achieving many awards and accolades. He earned his Master’s Degree in Physical Education at the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama. He continued to pursue his education at Atlanta University, completing his Administrative Leadership Certification, which led to becoming him a Doctoral Candidate at Clark Atlanta University.

Throughout his tenure in education, he served as a leader in the field of Education for both DeKalb County and Fulton County Boards of Education. Even after his retirement, he was recognized as a stellar Principal and was sought after administratively to improve schools’ leadership goals. He touched the lives of his students, who all remember him fondly and many of whom still kept in contact with him even during his last days.

Earnest was a devout Christian and was ordained as a Deacon in 2002 at The Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church/House of Hope Atlanta under the leadership of the late Rev. H.F. Shepherd in Decatur, Georgia. He was an active member of Total Victory Worship Center of Atlanta, where he served as a Deacon, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and a member of the Finance Team. His pastor, Rev. Angelic Simmons, remembers him as a kind soul that dedicated much time to ensuring the upkeep of Total Victory and the safety of its congregation.

Earnest loved life, he loved his family, and he loved traveling and meeting new people. He made it a priority to maintain closeness with family and would often take road trips to Florida, Minnesota, Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and California to express his love for his family. Earnest also loved the tennis court, where he spent most of many hours at Sugar Creek Tennis Center ‘whipping up’ on his teammates and playing ALTA and USTA. He won several city-wide trophies. Earnest had a special charisma about him; he kept everyone around him laughing, and he never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Felecia Killum; son, Earnest Killum, Jr.; parents, Robert Keller, Sr. and Viola Thomas; brothers, Michael and Donald Keller; Fred, Albert and Roosevelt (Sugaman) Williams; and sister, Daisy (Williams) Webb.

He will truly be missed and leaves a legacy of kindness to his loving children, Matthew and Erica Killum; brothers, Robert (Mona) Keller, Jr., Chicago, IL; Otis Keller, Tifton, GA; Anthony Keller of Lewisville, TX; and Curtis Keller, Memphis, TN; sisters, Otha “Nellie” Johnson, Reber (Ed) Sledge, Memphis, TN; Adrian (Eugene) Adams, Sandra (Ian) Ramsey, Sharon Green, Rita (Vincent) Blackmon, and Barbara Ann Burress, all of Chicago,IL; aunt, Odessa Wingo Sanders, Florence, KY; stepson, Everett Fleming, III, Orlando, F; goddaughter, Ashley White, Stone Mountain; Matthew’s mother, Joy Killum; Erica’s mother, Edna Fleming, former spouse, Dicine Killum; special friends, Lonnie Edwards Sr., Dan White, Tony Phillips, Joseph Landfair, and Captain Brad Bradley; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Donald Trimble Mortuary, Inc., 1876 Second Avenue, Decatur, 404-371-0772-3.

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Alice Washington we always stayed in touch we last talked Valentin day he called and wished me a happy Valentin day. I will miss you my friend.

Such a good friend and tennis buddy i will miss battling you on the courts listening to your crazy remarks between games. you left to soon my friend.

2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who comforts those who are downhearted, comforted us by the presence of Titus;

RIP friend! Renalda Jaynes

Ernest was indeed helpful to those he came to know. I remember once he allowed me to tag along with him from Stetson to Tallahassee, FL. The school year had ended and I was homeward bound to the mighty town of Vernon, FL which is about 90 miles west of Tallahassee. Though sown as a perishable body, he will be raised with an imperishable one.

WE will miss you at table 51 seat 3 every Sunday.RIP we love you. Linda Durden Fletcher's

Killum was a character, loved fun and laughter. In your affliction may the knowledge that your friends share your sorrow be solace to you. Julia Barber

Coach Killum...Such great memories.
Throughout my adult life, I've oftentimes spoken of Coach Killum and how he inspired many. 40 years later since I last saw him, what I remember most is a great smile, a playful personality, and phenomenal guidance.
Warm thoughts and prayers to the family,
Jennifer (walker) Fretwell GHS Class of 1980

Our prayers are with you during your time of bereavement. You have our deepest sympathy & love. Rita S. Hanfor & the Coahoma Community College & Coahoma Agricultural High School Family.

TO KILLUM family I like to send my condolences and prayers to you all may god continue to bless your family doing this diffcult time R.I.P coach your freind JOE god bless.

Bob, We are praying for the family and are sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. Sending you love. Shannon Skipper Green Jarrett

Deacon Earnest will surely be missed. I thank him for always showing me kindness and being a great man of God. He was a good example of being a protector to all he came in contact with. Again thank you for never giving up on me when I left the church that we both was a member of. Rest well sir!!

When I learned of your passing Ernest, I could not believe it was real. I will always cherish and remember our conversations and laughter. Thank you for your kindnesses and friendship. You will be missed by your family and many friends.
Paulette Hammonds

A wonderful and calm person, always with a smile. Rest well Coach. Tammie Henerson, Gordon High "79"

Earnie as I call my friend and basketball team mate who I met in 1969 at Stetson University was a challenger on and off the court always with a great sense of humor and one who assisted in getting our team to NCAA DII Tournament. Now moved on to the greatest of torments. RIP my friend, condolences to your family. Robert & Daphne Mack

EK, dont know what I ll remember you most for that blue impala and my first trip to ft lauderdale in 68 or those whippings you gave me playing 1 on 1 in the gym at SU that fall. Both were eye opening and taught me alot. Ron Beal

Killum you was my big brother I will miss you dearly, your friend Hambrick.

Coach Killum as I will call him, was a teacher, coach and mentor to all the students at Gordon High School in the 70's and 80's. He was a great coach as he led our basketball team to the state finals where they was runnerup in 1975. He loved us all and supported every activity there at Gordon High School. Coach was a regular at the annual alumni picnic. He would sit with us there and reminisce about the great times we had during those high school days. I will miss his smile most of all. I say from one General to another! Rest In Peace Coach, until I see you on that great playing field in heaven. Lester the Messiah Mickens

Mr. Killum hired me as his secretary in 2000. Futlon county schools/Frank McClarin. He was very pleasant and fare supervisor. I will always remember him as a gentle soul.
Freddi Collins

Pamela (Henderson)Hicks, I remember Mr. Ernest (Coach)Killum, from Gordon High School. Always cool and calm. RIP! You have gone from labor to reward. God bless!