Obituary

Ernestine Warner Seal

July 29, 1940 - July 4, 2024

Ernestine Warner Seal, age 83, a native of Stateline and a resident of Bogalusa, was surrounded by her family when she passed away at her home on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Billy Wayne Seal of Bogalusa; her daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Kerry Cunningham of Abita Springs; her granddaughter, Cassidy Cunningham of Lafayette; a step-grandson, Kerry Cunningham Jr. (Sheila) of Madisonville; a sister, Wilma Seal of Varnado; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Beulah Branch Warner; her father- and mother-in-law, Robert and Velma Pittman Seal; one infant son, Robert Wayne Seal; three sisters, Claudine Warner Chestnut , Bobbye Warner Hughes, and Delores Warner; her brother, Wilton Warner; brothers-in-law, Leon Seal, Billy Hughes, Gilbert Holden, and Bob Chestnut; sisters-in-law, Mildred Warner and Jackie Seal; a nephew, Dennis Seal; and a niece, Sue Chestnut Baker.

She graduated from Angie High School in 1957 and soon began working in the banking industry, starting at First State Bank in Bogalusa in 1960. When she relocated to Jackson, MS, in 1970 with her husband and daughter, she worked at a few local banks before settling in with the Bank of Mississippi (Bancorp South). She worked there for many years in several positions and retired in 1995, when she and her husband returned to Bogalusa.

After moving back to Bogalusa, she was a member and former president of the Bogalusa Civic League and enjoyed trips and talking plants and flowers with her garden club friends. She especially enjoyed spending Saturdays in the fall tailgating at LSU football games with her husband, sister and brother-in-law, Bobbye and Billy Hughes, and longtime friends Jackie and Rand Porter.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Bogalusa and especially enjoyed her time with the Hope Sunday School class.

While in Jackson, she never missed a school or extra-curricular activity her daughter was involved in, and when she became a Nana, she never missed a school event, sporting event or other activity in which her granddaughter participated.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa with the Rev. Josh Powell officiating. The Rev. Eric Williams, her cousin, will also participate in the service.

A visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Seal Cemetery in Varnado.

Pallbearers will be her nephews, Rickey Holden, Tim Seal, Barry Seal, Roger Warner, Randy Chestnut, and Jim Ezell, and step-grandson, Kerry Cunningham Jr.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church, 541 Avenue F, Bogalusa, LA 70427, or the Seal Cemetery Fund, 26325 Military Road, Angie, LA 70426.