The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, July 4, 1996                TAG: 9607040518
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   25 lines

EARNEST L. PRIEST

Earnest Lee Priest, of the 1500 block of Campostella Road, died July 1, 1996, in his residence.

Mr. Priest was retired from the U.S. Navy, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star. Born in Memphis, Tenn., he was a member of Abyssina Baptist Church. He was a Prince Hall Mason.

Survivors include his wife, Christine W. Priest; two daughters, Evelyn McMachan of Elgin, Ill., Earnestine Lee of Chicago; two stepdaughters, Mattie Leach and Ernestine Tillett, both of Norfolk; three sons, Larry Priest and Robert Priest, both of Chicago, and Eddie Hedgebeth of Edenton, N.C.; an adopted son, Derek L. Priest; and a foster son, Robert Roulac; two brothers, Howard Priest and William Clanton, both of Detroit; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday by Dr. Frank Guns Sr. in Abyssina Baptist Church. Graves Funeral Home is in charge. Friends may join the family at the residence. The body will be taken to the church at 10 a.m. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB