Ernest “Ernie” Lon Queen passed away at age 82 on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at his home in Sedro-Woolley with his family at his side.
Ernie was born to Lewis and Alberta (Prince) Queen on January 21, 1933 in Cowarts, North Carolina.
He came to Lyman in 1955 where he worked first at Superior Portland Cement and then later for Hornbeck Brothers as a logger. In 1963 Ernest switched careers to become a full time farmer, managing both a beef and dairy herd.
In 1984, he helped found the Skagit Bluegrass and Country Music Association, and in 1985 he founded his own band, Queen’s Bluegrass Band. He sold his dairy herd in 1989, converting totally to beef ranching allowing Ernie and his band to play more Bluegrass festivals and travel farther away. Queen’s Bluegrass has played their music throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Colombia, Canada, ever since.
He was active in the Hamilton Community Church where he served as a deacon for 45 years. He was also a regular attendee of Sedro-Woolley Community Church.
He met Phyllis Johnson in the summer of 1955 and they were married in 1957 sharing 57 happily married years together.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Phyllis; son, Dale Queen and his wife Grace of Valdosta, GA; daughter, Lorretta Edson of Everett, WA; son-in-law, James McMullen of Sedro-Woolley, WA; 3 brothers, Mack Queen (Macky), Roy Queen (Ellen) and Coy Queen (Lucille) all of Cullowhee, NC; 3 sisters; Lou Ella Bryson (Jerry) of Cummings, GA, Mozzella Coward of Salem, SC and Mildred Broom (Wayne) of Tuckaseegee, NC; six grandchildren; Susan Queen, Gwendolyn Queen, Sherilyn Queen, James McMullen, Jr. (Ashley), Brittany Hinds (Richard) and Ashlee Edson; six great-grandchildren and numerous extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Ray; a daughter Lonna McMullen and a grandson Travis McMullen.
The family would like to thank the members of Queen’s Bluegrass for their support during Ernie’s final days. They would also like to thank the entire medical team that allowed him to pass peacefully.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at 11:00AM at Inspire Church, 805 Township St, Sedro-Woolley, with Pastor Lee Johnson officiating. Internment will be at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with a potluck fellowship following at the church. Visitation is available only at Lemley Chapel on Tuesday thru Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. Memorials are suggested to Friendship House, 922 South 3rd Street, Mt Vernon, WA 98273.
R.I.P grandpa. Miss you.
In my teenage years of the late Sixties , I would go down to Cousin Earnest`s and Phyllis`s farm,to help during the haying season. The work would be hard, but Earnest would make sure we all enjoyed our selves.Both Earnest and Phyllis were really good people to be around ! Although Earnest lived 3/4 of his life in the Skagit Valley, a part of his heart belonged to the headwaters of the John`s Creek Area of NC. , where he was raised. He never forgot his roots and his music was a reflection of that life ! So I hope the Good Lord likes some good Bluegrass Picking & Singing too……….
Words cannot express what my grandpa meant to me. I’ve spent many summers of my life visiting my family in Washington and listening to my grandpa and dad sing together. It saddens me greatly that I never realized I’d heard it for the last time. I can still remember your laugh and your smile. I love you, grandpa, and you will be missed. You will be remembered. Love always.
No one is ever ready to say goodbye. Although it’s been years since I’d gotten to see my grandpa, I can still hear his voice clearly, singing along to some bluegrass song that I never knew but always somehow managed to appreciate. Bodies pass, but the soul lives on. My grandpa lives on in his family, and I know he lives on in me. I’ll miss you always. One day, I’m sure, we’ll meet again.
I love you all,and wish with all my heart that we were there with you,and although we”we not there in person we are there in spirit and your in our hearts and prayers.our brother Ernest was one of a kind ,there will never be another like him,He will be sorely missed,I think God for giving us all the years to be together,and thank God for all the memories he has blessed us with and although Ernest is not here he will always be in our hearts and thoughts,until we are all together again in Heaven,where we will never be apart again,!!!!!I Love You Ernest,!!!
Aunt Phyllis, Dale, Loretta & the rest of our Queen family,
We are all sadden to hear of the passing of our Uncle Ernest. We know he is in a better place than all of us today. His contagious laughter, singing, love for family & life will live on in each of you & us forever. Know we love each of you. You all are in our thoughts, hearts & prayers. Tammy, Jed, Children & Grandchildren
Phyllis, Dale, Loretta and Peterbuilt. So sorry to here of the loss of Earnest. We moved to Hoehn road in 1969 and soon became a thorn in his side, but he welcomed us to his home and we gave him the nickname “honest Earnest” he was a wonderful man. He sang at Fremonts funeral and I look forward to the day I can pick the banjo with him again. His legend will live on forever in the bluegrass music he so much loved. God Bless
What a joy it was to visit Ernie and take a picture of him on his tractor, playing music or while listening to his stories. He was always gracious, gentle and man, could he pick a guitar! Blessings to to the Queen family and all of Ernie’s friends.
Ernie was always an example of a man who lived out his faith. I stood beside him and Carolyn at so many funerals, I can’t begin to say what he meant to me. I always appreciated him and his charity was an example I have used as a role model in my life. He will be missed but not forgotten.
We will miss Ernie very much! He was a one of a kind soul! We will miss his many, many songs, his voice, his humble and kind demeanor. Ernie was the real deal – traditional bluegrass. We always enjoyed that about him and his band. Ernie was supportive and welcoming – he will be missed greatly.
I was related to Earnest on my Mother’s side of the family. My Grandma Avalee was a Queen.
Earnest was always available when we lost a family member, to sing God’s music of hope and help to us who were hurting. I will be eternally grateful to him..
Go rest high on that mountain Earnest, your good work on Earth is done.
Bob Hooper and family
Phyllis’s, I’m so sorry for the lost of your husband you have many wonderful memories of him, my prayers are with you and your family.
I worked with Ernie during his Rehab. at United Generals outpatient Rehab.. He kept at it, ’cause he wanted to get back to playing the guitar. He was a remarkable man, and has accomplished more than most in his life. We all loved him and enjoyed his music. We are all sad to hear of his passing. Phyllis, my prayers are with you and your family.
Aunt Phyllis, Dale, Loretta and all my Washington Family,
We love you all and feel the loss of our wonderful Uncle Ernest!! The boys and I send our greatest prayers of comfort during this time. Our memories will have to carry us forward until that great family reunion we will all have one day!!! There will never be another that captures our hearts as Uncle Ernest did with his loving smile and amazing laugh! Wishing we could be with you at this time but please know not a moment passes without thinking of each of you and that wonderful “cowboy” uncle that my boys loved so much!!
While Ernest will be greatly missed, what a blessing and a comfort to know where he’s at. It doesn’t look like we will be able to make it over for the service on Saturday, Phyliss and Jimmy if there is anything we can do for you, let us know, Lord willing we will make it happen. We will be praying for Phyliss and Jimmy and all the rest of the family.
Much Love,
Daryl, Arlene, Sadie and Hunter
Aunt Phyllis and family: Please know that my thoughts, prayers and love are with you always. May God bless and comfort you each and every day.
Thinking about and praying for y’all. Gary,Lisa,Steven,Shey, & Trevor Broom
Ernest was a distant cousin of mine who I always enjoyed seeing and being around. I am the youngest child of L.G. and Juanita Queen, I have not lived in Washington State in 43 years, but still have fond memories of visiting all my cousins and the fun times we had. It was a pleasure some time ago to see Ernest and his son and family at our annual reunion the decoration on John’s Creek in North Carolina. To Phyllis and all of the family you will be in my thoughts and prayers, and may God comfort you at this difficult time.
Joyce Queen Roper
The music in heaven just got a new beat, Ernest Queen went to the land of which he sang these many years! Ernest was a humble, quiet man always willing to lend a helping hand. When I was campaigning Ernest played at most of my events and when the people of North Carolina were recognized as one of Washington’s major ethnic groups he wowed them at the Seattle Art Museum with his music! You could find Earnest playing on the street corner at almost every event in Sedro Woolley over the years, and singing with Carolyn Young at many funerals for his people. His music was of hope of a better life, his North Carolina home and his people. Ernest has gone home, his work here is done! He willed be missed by all who loved him but his music will live forever. Rest in peace my good friend.
I am sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to your loved ones.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family! We so wish that we could be there with you during this time! Just know that we loved Uncle Ernest with all our hearts and he will forever live in our memories!! Even though we see each other so little you guys are always in our hearts!!! Family like branches on a tree may grow in different directions but we always come back to our roots! All my love. Janet & Gerald Moody
I’m so glad I got to spend some time with him, when he came back to North Carolina a few years ago. Prayers for the family. I am a grand-daughter of his brother John R. Queen.
We have known Ernie for more then 30 years. He was a very nice, friendly, and considerate person. He sang for my Dad funeral which we appreciated very much even though he was starting to have some trouble then. Ernie also had a smile on his face. Whenever I was working in his fields he always either brought me some water if it was hot out, or an apple from his trees. He will be missed dearly.