Ernest "Mug" Ferrell

The Illustrious Brother Ernest “Mug” Ferrell was called home to rest on March 8, 2026. He was born on August 22, 1947, in Shubuta, Clarke County, Mississippi, to Tanner and Annie B. Ferrell.

Ernest accepted Christ at an early age and united with Bethlehem Baptist Church in Wayne County, Waynesboro, Mississippi. He graduated from George Washington Carver High School in the Class of 1966, and in 1969 he relocated to Sandusky, Ohio, where he joined New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Dr. Rev. Eddy Henry.

He was employed by Ford Motor Company in Lorain, Ohio, for 40 years, retiring in 2009, after which he enjoyed working at Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Guardians games. On January 17, 1979, Brother Ferrell joined the Most Worshipful Buckeye Grand Lodge, Grand Senior Warden & Grand King Solomon Order of Masons, where he remained a faithful and devoted Mason until his transition. On April 2, 1988, he united in marriage with Esline Townsend and relocated to Elyria, Ohio. After moving he became a member of Bethel Logos Christian Fellowship in Oberlin, Ohio.

Ernest leaves to cherish his love and legacy three children: Letoya McCarty Bennett of Lorain, Ohio; Jerrell (Anita) Rankins of Waynesboro, Mississippi; and Natasha Smith of Sandusky, Ohio; along with three bonus children: Mike (Nikki) Townsend of Blacklick, Ohio; Tara Rollison of Sandusky, Ohio; and Morna (Tommy) Thompson of Columbus, Ohio. He is also survived by one sister, Angela (Calvin) Payne of Columbus, Georgia; two brothers, Alexander Willis of Lithonia, Georgia, and Lindsey (Lucy) Willis, Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida; thirteen grandchildren—Dominique, London, Jerrell Jr., Keilah, Jordan, Azyah, Aschele, Michael (MJ), Tyler, Aaron, Trae, Mia, and Jonathan; six great-grandchildren; his special niece and caregiver Erica Ferrell-Harris, caregiver Natasha Hunter, and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Esline Townsend Ferrell; three brothers—Melvin Ferrell, Rayfus Ferrell, and Howard (Percy) Ferrell, and many other cherished relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Brown-Robinson Funeral Home, 1814 Milan Road, Sandusky, Ohio 44870. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 12:00 PM at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1215 Pierce Street, Sandusky, Ohio 44870, with burial to follow at Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio.