Virginia Lee “Boodie” (Armstrong) Ernest, 99, peacefully passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Heart to Heart Hospice House in Evansville, Indiana.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Parkview Christian Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois with Pastor Mark Richison officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home, 527 N Mulberry Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois and on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at Parkview Christian Church.

Virginia was born December 18, 1924 in Fairfield, Illinois, the daughter of John Kenneth and Lindell Leota (Whitson) Armstrong. She graduated from Flora Illinois High School. On June 23, 1945, she married Russell Dale Ernest in Houston, Texas. They enjoyed forty-six years of marriage.

She was a woman of deep faith and a devoted member of Parkview Christian Church, of which she was a charter member. She enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her “Boys” and the rest of her growing family. She loved to read and take trips with family.

Those left to cherish her memory include her sons, Stephen Howard (Shirley) Ernest of Paducah, Kentucky, Stanton Dale (Margaret “Peggy”) Ernest of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, Kevin Armstrong (Janice) Ernest of Chesterfield, MO; daughter-in-law Shelly Ernest of New Kent, VA; sixteen grandchildren; Tim Ernest of Evansville, IN, Darren (De’bora) Utley of Racine, WS, Jason (Kassie) Utley of Edinburgh, IN, Thaddeus “TJ” (Jenni) Ernest of Whiteland, IN, Kristin (Brian) Deverman of Dardenne Prairie, MO, Miriam (Eric) Helton of Mt. Carmel, IL, Kyle (Jennifer) Millns of Chicago, IL, Eric (Nicole) Millns of Chicago, IL, Anna (Matthew) Conner of Franklin, IN, Monica (Matt) Elpers of Wildwood, MO, Matthew Ernest of Westfield, IN, Elliott (Elizabeth) Ernest of St. Charles, MO, Aaron Ernest of Martinez, CA, Adam (Katie) Ernest of Golden CO, Alison Ernest of Mechanicsville, VA, Austin Ernest of Norfolk, VA; seventeen great grandchildren; Amanda Jordan, Amber Ernest, Brady Ernest, Claire Utley and Jay Utley, David Utley and Joshua Utley, Alexis Ashbaugh, Elijah Ernest, Kenton, Brant & Katelyn Deverman, Jack Stanton Helton, Bella, Kaleb, Leah and Mattie Kay Elpers.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dale; son Jon Kyle Ernest; siblings Dorothy June Evans, Dorma Jean Tullett, and Shirley Louise Briscoe.

Memorials can be made to Parkview Christian Church, 11467 N 1550 Blvd, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.

Condolences may be sent to www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Ernest family.