Ernest Townsend Bourne Jr.

Ernest Townsend Gayle Bourne, Jr., 91, of Crescent Hill, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2017. He had knicknames, Ernie, ET, Bud, and Nabob. He graduated from the Kentucky School for the Blind and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown College in 1949. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and was featured in Who's Who Among Students in 1949.

Nabob was a self-employed vendor for the Kentucky Business Enterprise Program for over 50 years. His last facility was at the Louisville City Hall Coffee Shop, where he had worked for over 32 years and became affectionately known as "The Underground Mayor".

He was a founding member of both the local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind and the Louisville East Lion's Club.

Nabob was well known as a Deacon at Clifton Baptist Church, and his accomplishments as a pianist and singer; he loved gospel music, entertained at churches across the state with his groups, the Melodians, and loved to compose music and poetry.

Preceded in death by his son Edward Ernest Bourne of Louisville, KY; his parents, Ernest T. Bourne, Sr. and Sue Devore Bourne of New Liberty, KY and his sister Ollie Gayle Bourne Smythe of Memphis, TN.

Survived by his wife of 63 years, Margaret Moore Bourne of Louisville, KY; son David (Caren) Bourne of Maryville, TN; daughter Denise Bourne Carnes (Mac) of Fisherville, KY; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; his sister Eva Sue Bourne Akins (Richard) of Manhattan, KS.

Visitation will be on Tuesday May 23, 2-7 pm with services at 10 am Wednesday at Arch L. Heady-Cralle, 2428 Frankfort Avenue with interment at New Liberty Cemetery, New Liberty, KY.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to either the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation or the Louisville East Lion's Club.

Please leave a condolence for the family at www.archlheadycralle.com