Ira Ernest Hutchinson

Ira Ernest Hutchinson, known affectionately as Ernest or Tibbs to family and friends, was born on November 18, 1958 to the late Dorothy M. Hutchinson and late Albert W. Hutchinson in Queens, New York. He started his childhood on Long Island and then his family moved to The Bronx where he grew up with his four sisters Beverly, Amy, Theresa and Deirdre.

Ernest graduated from Henry Bruckner Junior High School 101 in 1973. He then graduated from Adlai E Stevenson High School in 1977. Shortly after graduating from High School Ernest decided to enlist into the Navy. He was in the military from 1981 to 1984 where he was stationed in Florida, Tennessee, and on multiple Naval ships. Once out of the military he continued his education through job trainings when starting his next careers. He received a Certificate of Training in Supervisory Development and was a Security Supervisor from 1984 to 1991, working for Bell Security Services, Burns International Security Services and Omni Park Central Hotel. He then received two certifications from John Jay College of Criminal Justice for Fire Safety Director in Hotel-Motel and High-Rise, and worked as a Fire Safety Director from 1991 to 1995, working for Paramount Hotel and Nynex Corporation. Ernest, then decided that he wanted to work for himself and left the corporate world for a career as a Truck Driver. He received a certificate in 1995 from Model Tractor Trailer and Truck Driving School to practice and operate tractor-trailers and trucks. He spent the next 25 years on the road driving trucks and visiting and working in all 50 states in the U.S.

In between his education and career achievements, Ernest was a romantic and family man who loved being in love. He married his first wife Robin C. Edwards June of 1981 and together they had four children, Tiffany Monet, Tyson Markeise, Tyeishe Mercedes and Tykia Maray and lived in The Bronx, New York. He then married his second wife Shelia D. Baxter July of 2000 and together they had three children, Akeyla Christine, and twins Amani Shanice and Anylah Shanay and lived in Mooresville, North Carolina. Although, he was divorced from both women he spent over a decade in each marriage as a hardworking dedicated husband and father. He then chose to live his life in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Ernest loved jazz music and was an avid chess player. He was an intellectual man, a strategic thinker, and a teacher. He taught you how to tell military time and read road maps (before navigation systems!). He was a history buff that could recite any time in history and dare you to fact check him! He was a grandfather who spoiled his grandchildren with homemade French toast and meals at the Golden Corral. He was a brother that teased and a man that protected his family. He was also a man that maintained friendships for 50+ years. He was honest, direct, and unapologetically himself. Ernest passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 23, 2020 in West Virginia in a trucking accident and left us too soon. He was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy M. Hutchinson and Albert W. Hutchinson, his sister Deirdre Hutchinson, and his youngest daughter Anylah Hutchinson.

Ernest is survived by his children Tiffany (son-in-law Gerald), Tyson (daughter-in-law Shiree), Tyeishe, Tykia, Akelya, Amani; his grandchildren Desarie, Taliyah, T’aijah, Niari, Tamaia, Tyson Jr., Ti’ree, Tyler, Tristan, Taissa, Taylor, Tay-son; his siblings Beverly, Amy, Theresa; his nieces Shante, Nicole, Tamika, Shamice, Shaquana; his nephews: Ronald, David, Nathaniel, Taj, Trent, Chase, Avery, Dahmel; and a host of other relatives and friends.