Dear Friends,
We wanted to take a moment to remember our dear friend Ernie — the kind of guy who made every room a little brighter and every day a little better just by being in it. Ernie was the ultimate family man. He adored his wife, Tonya, more than anything in this world, and it was so clear to anyone who saw them together how deep that love ran. He was all about his people — friends, family, coworkers — if you were in Ernie’s circle, you knew you were truly cared for.
He had a big love for the beach (especially Myrtle Beach), good times, and good company. Nothing made him happier than catching some sun with a cold beverage in hand, probably cracking a joke or two. He had this way of making everyone feel like family — always laughing, always celebrating, and always finding joy in the little things.
Ernie was also a huge part of our OVM family. He worked with us as a Branch Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator for over seven years, and in that time, he left a lasting mark. He was incredibly dedicated to his work, but even more so to the people around him. I will never forget the first time we reconnected and talked about getting the band back together and having Ernie at the helm to take our Roanoke Office to the next level. We talked about wok and plans for the future. More than anything we talked about family and caught up like we had been neighbors for years.
He fought cancer with incredible strength and courage, never losing his sense of humor or his love for life. He had the kind of personality that just pulled people in — full of laughter, full of love, and full of life. Ernie will always be part of our OVM family, and we’ll carry his memory with us in every laugh, every beach trip, and every story we share.
Holding on to the good times,
Brian Hill