Mr. Ernest Howard Nash, affectionately known as "Gofer" or "Brut," was born on December 22, 1956, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the late Annie Mae Nash and Ernest Nash. He was educated in the public school system of Spartanburg County. He graduated from Dorman High School and went on to pursue a degree at Rutledge College.

Ernest was raised in Pauline, South Carolina, where he was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church. The third of five siblings, he was considered the jokester of the crew. In high school, he excelled academically and was inducted into the Beta Club, and his love of sports earned him a place on the Dorman High School basketball team. Ernest was known for his sly smile, quiet demeanor, and his love of sports, food, and all things sweet, especially honey buns. He was called home, on February 2, 2026, at AnMed Health.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Annie Mae Nash; stepmother, Lucille Nash; maternal grandparents, Mr. Major and Mrs. Lelar Barton; and paternal grandparents, Mr. Victor and Mrs. Minnie Nash.

Ernest leaves to cherish his memory his father, Ernest Nash of Chesnee, South Carolina; siblings, Audrey Nash of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Sandra N. Gray of Columbia, South Carolina, Danita (Pastor Antoine) Scruggs of Warner Robins, Georgia, and Steven (Ada Louise) Nash of Chesnee, South Carolina; along with a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who will miss him dearly.