May 2002
May 27, 1906 - February 16, 2002
He retired from the Good Year Atomic Corporation in 1971 as a carpenter. Through the years after his retirement he remained active in carpentry work and was best known for building his Grandfather clocks and cabinets. He also made 2 guitars and other various items on request.
In the late 1920's after his conversion, Ernest began traveling and singing with his sister, Marie. They were pioneer song evangelists in South Central Ohio, being one of the first to go out and minister away from their home church. They sang at Nipgen Camp and Mt. of Praise Camp Meeting during their years of ministry. Later he sang with his sister Wilma, and also sang with his brothers, Henry and Paul. He continued to minister in song throughout the early 1950's. After that he remained a faithful member of the Morgantown Church of Christ in Christian Union, where he
trustee.
Shortly after his conversion, Ernest wrote an article that was published by the Advocate back in 1925. Here is an excerpt from that article:
Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Advocate Family:
I feel impressed to tell you dear readers of what I feel in my soul this beautiful evening. I praise God this evening for bringing his Gospel to me in such a way that I could easily understand it and not only understand it, but I am glad that I did accept it and obey it, and came to an altar of prayer at Bethel Chapel, although I did not accept Jesus at the altar. But not long after that, when I was coming home one night from a play party, a wave of darkness swept over my soul with an awful load of conviction. I thought I could not stand under my load any longer. So there at the roadside was a big stump, and I got down at the old stump and began to pray. It was not long until a sweet flowing stream of living water flowed down through the avenues of my soul. I'm glad, glory to God, that the water is still running today! I feel more like going through with Jesus than ever before when I see the
Your Brother in Christ,
Ernest Leeth
On February 16, 2002, Ernest went home to be with his Lord and Savior. His funeral was held on February 20th at Morgantown Church of Christ in Christian Union, with Rev. Donald Tackett and Rev. James McCain officiating. He is survived by his wife Myrtle, 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter. Although he will be deeply missed, he leaves behind a great Godly heritage for his family and generations to come. He would be proud that many of his children and grandchildren are carrying on the ministry that he started some 70 years ago.
Now he sings in heaven's choir and will forever reap the rewards of his earthly labor. He has traded this world for a mansion. Heaven is rejoicing because one more soldier has made it home.