Funeral Services for Lucille Ernst, former Clinton resident, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 9, 2026, in the Hyman Memorial Chapel officiated by Chuck Milner and Ryan Driskill. Burial will follow in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of the Lee Hometown Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 pm, Monday, May 11, 2026, in the Highland Church of Christ in Tecumseh, OK.
Lucille (Sullins) Ernst was born July 30, 1931, to Nolan and Mary (Jones) Sullins in Leedey, Oklahoma, and passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026, in her home in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.
Lucille began her schooling in Putnam, Oklahoma, attended middle school in Butler, and later graduated from Independence School near Custer City. During her high school years, she met the love of her life, Lloyd Ernst. The couple was married on April 11, 1948, at the Methodist Church in Custer City and shared more than 67 years of marriage before Lloyd’s passing on September 15, 2015.
In 1951, Lucille and Lloyd obeyed the Gospel and dedicated their lives to serving Christ. Together they raised their two sons, Larry and Randy, while also opening their hearts and home to foster daughters Dorothy, Thana, and Judy, and later adopting their daughter, Carolyn. Lloyd faithfully served as an elder at East Main Church of Christ and later at Northridge Church of Christ in Shawnee. Lucille worked tirelessly beside him, always looking for opportunities to encourage others and share her faith. Their lives were marked by service, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping those in need, especially widows, orphans, and foster children.
Lucille was a devoted student of the Scriptures and boldly shared the Word of God with anyone eager to learn. Her passion for teaching and ministry carried her across the world on numerous mission efforts. She traveled with students from Oklahoma Christian College to teach Bible studies in Italy, Hungary, France, Croatia, and other Communist countries during difficult times for Christian outreach. She later helped establish a church in Irkutsk, Russia, and taught Bible studies in Russian schools. Her ministry also took her to Germany, where she taught at a lady’s retreat on the Rhine River, to Guyana in South America, where she made four mission trips to help establish a church, and to Rijeka, Croatia, where she taught Bible classes along the Adriatic Sea.
Lucille also possessed a beautiful soprano voice and enjoyed performing with the Southwest Playhouse in Clinton. Whether through music, teaching, or simple acts of kindness, she touched countless lives with her warmth, faith, and servant’s heart.
Because of Lloyd’s work with McClellan’s Five and Dime Stores, the family lived in Clinton and Stillwater, Oklahoma; McAllen and Abilene, Texas; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1956, Lloyd began working for TG&Y Stores, which later took the family to Wichita, Kansas; Yuma, Arizona; and Shawnee, Oklahoma.
In 2020, Lucille moved to Tecumseh, Oklahoma, where she continued her mission work, Bible studies, and faithful service to others. At the time of her passing, she was a devoted member of the Highland Church of Christ in Tecumseh.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lloyd; her adopted daughter, Carolyn; brothers, Bernice Sullins and Carl Sullins; and two sisters, Janetta Pridemore and Wanda Klein.
Lucille is survived by her; brother, Leroy Sullins of Edmond, Oklahoma; sons, Larry Ernst and wife Debbie of Seminole, Oklahoma, and Randy Ernst of Clinton, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Julie and Butch, Jennifer and Brad, Joseph, Nicole, Carolanna, Kurt, Matt, and Carrie; 14 greatgrandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
Lucille wished to be remembered first as a disciple of Christ, a trusted friend, a loving mother, and a faithful wife — one who had “run the race, finished the course, and kept the faith.”