Ernest A. Jolly

Ernest was born November 23, 1934 in Memphis, Tennessee and lived there while in grade school. In 1952, the age of 17, Ernest enlisted into the United States Air Force. After enlisting into the Air Force, Ernest left Memphis and traveled to Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX where he would complete basic military training. After training, Ernest completed aircraft maintenance/sheet metal technical school. After completion of technical school, he was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa Japan for 3 years and 11 months. After completing his first enlistment, Ernest came back to the United States where he re-enlisted and was stationed at Chennault Air Force Base, Louisiana and was assigned to the 44th Field Maintenance Squadron. During his second term of service, Ernest married the love of his life, Virginia Ann Jolly. Ernest and Ann had their first child (Zoe Jolly) while Ernest was stationed at Chennault Air Force Base, Louisiana. Shortly after Zoe was born, Ernest was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force on November 2, 1959. Ernest served proudly for a total of 7 years and 24 days.

In 1960, Ernest, Ann, and Zoe left Louisiana and moved back to Memphis, TN. Once they were settled into their new home, Ernest gravitated to the family business (Roofing). Ernest had been roofing with his family off and on since 1942 and decided to venture into the business full-time. Ernest recruited many of his brothers, family, and friends when he started roofing full-time. With hard work and the help of family and friends, Ernest’s business grew. Ernest’s immediate family also grew. During the early 1960’s, Ernest and Ann would have three more children: Ernest Jolly Jr., Kathleen Jolly, and Phillip Jolly. After Ernest and Ann were done having kids, they decided to buy the home that they would raise their family in and where they would spend the rest of their lives. That home was on Wanda Street in Memphis, TN. After purchasing their home, Ernest decided to open the doors to the first Jolly’s Roofing and Sheet Metal Company on Lamar Avenue in Memphis, TN. Throughout the years Ernest and his family would continue to grow the family business and the “Jolly” name would become renowned around the Midsouth area for providing the best roofing products and services.

Ernest owned and operated Jolly’s Roofing and Sheetmetal on Lamar Avenue for many, many years. In 2015, at the age of 80, Ernest decided to retire and close the doors to his business so he could be at home with his wife, Ann. That same year, Ann was diagnosed with cancer and Ernest was by her side every day, caring for her and giving her unconditional love. Ann passed away peacefully on November 11, 2015. Ann was the core of the Jolly family and even though Ernest just lost the love of his life, he remained strong for those around him who were grieving. He was the rock that everyone in the family leaned on during the time of Ann’s passing. During the years after, Ernest continued to live at his home on Wanda Street. Ernest would occasionally go “plunking” (gambling) when he felt like getting out of the house. Otherwise he spent the rest of his time visiting with his family and building closer relationships with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ernest was preceded in death by two children, Sarah Zoe Jolly and Ernest A. Jolly, Jr. and two grandchildren, Jackie L. Jolly and Ronald A. Jones, Jr.

Ernest is survived by his son, Philip Jolly Sr; his daughter, Kathleen Jones; his grandchildren, Philip Jolly Jr., Steven Jolly, Mickey Jolly, Casey Jones, Charlie Storey, and Joshua Storey.

There will be a memorial service held for Ernest on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 4:00 PM at the Memphis Funeral Home, Memphis, TN.