Ernie Campbell

Ernie Campbell, 86, of Las Vegas, Nevada was born to Emma Talley and Ernest Campbell on September 11, 1936 in Western County Noxapater, Mississippi. He attended Hawthorne Elementary school in Western County Noxapater and graduated from Hopewell High school in Philadelphia, Mississippi. After graduation he moved to East Chicago, Indiana.

He is the father of  Willean Whitley Moore, Bernard and Owen Campbell. He is the Step Father of Murlene Gordon Moore and Donald Wayne “Bubbo” Stribling.

In 1958 he married the love of his life Gwendolyn “Gwen” and fathered three more children Lisa, Kevin, and Grayling.

At an early age he gave his life to the Lord and began singing in the choir at Mt Pleasant No. 2 Baptist Church in Western County Noxapater, Mississippi. In East Chicago, Indiana he was a member of Mt Herman Baptist Church and sang in the choir.

He was hired at United Parcel Service (UPS) as a delivery serviceman in Chicago, Illinois in 1966. In 1969 he and his family moved to Denver, Colorado and his UPS employment was transferred.

In 1972 he began a career in transportation at the Regional Transportation Department (RTD) as a bus driver. He continued working with RTD for over 20 years.

Ernie and the family joined Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado. He sang in the choir and was known for his solo performance of the song “Jesus is Mine” . His favorite gospel singer was the late great Rev. James Cleveland. He and his wife Gwen often attended the yearly James Cleveland Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) held in different cities throughout the country.

Ernie not only loved gospel music but was known across the country as a phenomenal gospel singer. Audiences were set on fire when he sang his signature song. He had a glorious fiery sound with a mix of “Mighty Clouds of Joy quartet and BB King blues.” And at the eclipse of “his song” he’d say “Lord hide me” as he opened up the left side of his suite jacket and hid his right hand inside the jacket. The audience would stand as the heavens opened up to receive his praise.

Ernie was a proud husband and father that delighted in his family.

After retiring from RTD, he and his wife Gwen decided to move to Las Vegas, Nevada to be close to their youngest son Grayling. While in Las Vegas he became a member of Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church of Las Vegas.

Ernie is preceded in death by his wife, Gwendolyn, sons, Kevin and Grayling, grandson, Owen Jr, sister, Pattie (Doss), and parents, Ernest and Emma.

Ernie passed away into the embrace of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 9, 2023.

He will be greatly missed and leaves to cherish his memories, daughters, Willean, Murlene, and Lisa; sons, Bernard, Owen, and Donald. Along with grandchildren; sister, Tressie Mae; brother, Bill, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.