Earnest Lassiter, long time resident of Suffolk, died at his home Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at the age of 76. He was a native of Suffolk.

Earnest was the son of the late Rufus and Ella Lewter Lassiter. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Earnest Carnell and Lloyd Nathaniel Lassiter.

He was educated in the Suffolk Public School System and was a member of Canaan Baptist Church. Following public school, he became the owner and operator of Lassiter’s Bus Service Inc. which he opened in 1948 with the purchase of an old school bus to transport government workers to Norfolk Naval Base. This evolved into a lucrative business and he was blessed in 1970 to apply for his ICC authority, which he received in 1983. With hard work, faith, and perseverance, he and his wife and partner, Inez, built their business into one of nationwide travel.

Earnest was a member of many organizations. These included owner/operator of Lassiter’s Bus Service Inc.; a member of the Deacon Board of Canaan Baptist Church and Mount Vernon 48 Lodge; past president of Nansemond Parkway Civic League (30 years); and a member of Canaan Baptist Church Gospel Choir and Sons of The South and Harmony Four Quartet.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife, Inez Everett Lassiter; two daughters, Lillian Hopson (Melvin), Carson, Calif.; and Gwendolyn L. Cowling (Bill) of Hampton; two sons, Eric L. Lassiter (Chong), Tobyhanna, Pa., and John Ashley Lassiter of Suffolk; five grandchildren, Chandra, Danielle, Erika, John P. and Eric S.; two great-grandchildren, David and Daeja; six sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 19, in Canaan Baptist Church, 2064 Nansemond Parkway, Suffolk. Interment will follow in Canaan Baptist Cemetery.

Crocker Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of the arrangements.