Ernest Stanton Doster

Ernest Doster of Tallahassee, Fla died of a broken heart on May, 2nd, 2017. Ernest lived a very long and happy life which forever changed for him on January 24, 2012, when his beloved wife and soulmate, Maxine, passed away. On January 21st, the 67th anniversary of their marriage, Ernest and Maxine had a wonderful final celebration of their marriage with their son, Russell, and his family. Later that evening Maxine suffered a heart attack and passed away three days later. Her death left a huge void in his life, but he pressed on living a productive life in a manner that would please Maxine.

Ernest was born on May 22, 1922, the 13th and last child of Simeon Winchester Doster (1869 - 1933) and Annie Tom Seay Doster (1879 - 1948) of Dale County, Alabama. Raised on farms in southern Alabama and southern Georgia Ernest was always surrounded by his brothers and sisters, although closest to his next older brother, Jim. It was through his life on the farms that Ernest learned so much about animals and how to love them. His father died when Ernest was only 10, leaving his mother to struggle with the running of the farm and the raising of the children who still remained at home. She succeeded in these tasks and was able to see all remaining 10 of her children become successful citizens.

In 1929 the family moved to Donaldsonville, Ga where Ernest continued his childhood education and met his future wife and love, Maxine, the daughter of John and Edna Trawick Adams of Iron City, GA. Graduating from high school in 1941, Ernest enrolled in Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where he studied till 1942, at which time he joined the U.S. Marine Corps serving until 1946. Throughout WW II, Ernest served in military camps around the U.S. and was being deployed to the Asian battlefields on the U.S. aircraft carrier, USS Point Cruz, when Japan surrendered after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

In the midst of the war Ernest and Maxine were married in Jacksonville, Fl at the home of her parents. The marriage was a war-time affair and Maxine and Ernest were only permitted a few days of honeymoon. After the end of the war, Ernest was honorably discharged and he and Maxine moved to Gainesville, Fl where he attended the University of Florida. Money was tight and they depended on his income from the GI Bill, and his working with the university pest control department, and delivering the Florida Times Union newspaper, while Maxine worked as a nurse at the university infirmary.

After graduation Ernest and Maxine moved to Quincy, Fl where he was self-employed in the fertilizer business and later the furniture business while Maxine continued work as a private duty nurse. It was during this time that he and Maxine experienced the births of four children, Russell, Belinda, Leslie and Margaret Eve. Although Margaret Eve sadly died at birth, they were still left with three growing children and money was still tight. It was during this time that he and Maxine became deeply committed to Jesus Christ and devoted their lives to living in the ways of the Lord. As part of their Christian faith he and Maxine became charter members of the Thomas Memorial Baptist Church in Quincy.

In 1956 Ernest became employed with the Florida Probation and Parole Commission and in 1959 he was promoted to district supervisor and the family moved to Tallahassee. He continued with the Probation and Parole Commission till 1975. He worked with the Department of Corrections from 1975 until 1989 and retired as Circuit Administrator of the 2nd Judicial Circuit. During this time the children finished their educations, married and had children of their own.

In 1990 the Florida Supreme Court certified him as a mediator in the County Court System where he served till 1997. He also served 8 years on the Board of the State Retirement Commission.

He and Maxine always remained very active in their religious life and were members of Parkway Baptist Church for 20 years, charter members of the Bradfordville First Baptist Church for 28 years, and East Hill Baptist Church for their final religious home. While living at Westminster Oaks he took on the joyful task of conducting Sunday Afternoon Bible Lessons. He was a long-time member of the Tallahassee Rotary Club, where he served as president from 1977 - 1978 and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Ernest is survived by his two sons, Russell Stanton Doster and John Leslie Doster. Russell is married to Diane and their children; Christi Griner, Stanley McClain and wife, Ricki, Brett Doster and his wife, Iris, and Matthew Doster and Lauren Lee were devoted to Ernest and he shared in their devotion.

Ernest was pre-deceased by his devoted daughter Belinda Doster Wheeler, who is survived by her husband, John Wheeler and their children and spouses; Michael and his wife Vicky, Thomas and his wife Amy, and Amy and her husband, Robert.

Someone very close to Ernest was his sister-in-law Joan Lee who is the last remaining sister of Maxine. The world will be an emptier place for Joan now that she has lost Ernest, who was her last surviving brother-in-law. Ernest is also survived by numerous grand-children, nieces and nephews.