A Celebration of a Life Well Lived

Ernest Phillip Lynch

April 22, 1956 – September 12, 2026

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Celebrating 70 Years of Faith • Family • Love • Service • Legacy

Forever loved. Forever cherished. Forever remembered.

With hearts filled with love, gratitude, and cherished memories, we celebrate the life of Ernest Phillip Lynch, who entered Heaven’s golden gates on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the age of 70. Ernest was born on April 22, 1956, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Shirley Baptiste Lynch and Willie Lynch, Jr.

Ernest’s journey of faith began early in life. At the age of 12, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized at Beulah Baptist Church on Easter Sunday in 1968. His faith remained an important part of his life and became a source of strength throughout his journey.

Blessed with a brilliant and inquisitive mind, Ernest had a lifelong love of learning. He was educated in the New Orleans Public School System, where he consistently earned a place on the honor roll. He proudly graduated with honors from McDonogh 35 Senior High School, Class of 1975.

Ernest continued his education at Tulane University in New Orleans, where he studied engineering. His many interests eventually led him into healthcare. He earned certification as a Radiology Technician at Ochsner Medical Center and later completed the academic requirements for his Registered Nurse (RN) degree at Holy Cross Nursing School. Throughout his healthcare career, Ernest served in many capacities, but he was especially proud of caring for patients and supporting their families in the Emergency Room and Intensive Care Units at hospitals throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area.

Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, Ernest and his family evacuated their beloved New Orleans and relocated to Texas. The Lynch family eventually made their home in Mesquite, where Ernest became a faithful and proud member of Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church.

God blessed Ernest with an extraordinary curiosity and an abundance of gifts and talents. There were few subjects that failed to capture his interest. He loved learning, exploring ideas, solving problems, and sharing what he knew with others. Whether the conversation involved healthcare, computers, photography, technology, business, or almost any intellectual subject, Ernest could usually contribute something interesting—and often teach you something along the way.

His entrepreneurial spirit was another important part of who he was. Ernest became well known for his remarkable ability to repair and program computers, and his talents extended far beyond technology. Until his passing, he proudly owned and operated Ernest P. Lynch Photography Plus, an apparel, photography, and printing business that allowed him to combine his creativity, technical skills, and love of photography.

Ernest also enjoyed a distinguished career in federal service, retiring from the Department of Veterans Affairs as an Information Technology Specialist after 20 years of honorable government service. His creativity also left a lasting mark on his church family. At Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church, Ernest was especially known for his work with the Media Ministry which involved creating the church’s first directory, along with numerous photographic projects and designs that will continue to be treasured.

Ernest was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Ernest and Virginia Baptiste; his mother, Shirley B. Lynch; his father, Willie Lynch; his sister, Valerie B. West; and his aunts, Pearl B. White and Dorothy B. Smith.

Left to celebrate his life and cherish the wonderful memories they created are his beloved wife, Cherri Lynch; his father, Charlie N. Moore; his brothers, Michael Lynch and Charlie Moore Jr. (Jeanette); his Sister-in-Christ, Rosalind Canady; his daughters, Xyllena Harrison and Phyllis Lynch; and his son, Shelton W. Young III.

Ernest also leaves a beautiful legacy through his grandchildren: Xaria, Xyllize, Zemyra, and Zalonna Harrison of Garland, Texas, and Aiana, Alayah, and Asa Young of San Jose, California. He will also be lovingly remembered by his Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church family and a host of relatives, friends, colleagues, and loved ones on this side of Heaven.

Those who knew Ernest will remember far more than his impressive accomplishments. They will remember his brilliant mind, inquisitive spirit, kind heart, beautiful smile, creativity, and deep love for his family and friends. They will remember a man of many talents who lived with curiosity, worked with determination, loved deeply, and left his own special imprint on the lives of those around him.

Although we will miss Ernest’s earthly presence, we rejoice in the memories he gave us and find comfort in knowing that his journey continues in the presence of the Lord he accepted so many years ago.

Rest well, Ernest, until we meet again.

You were deeply loved in this life; 

And you will remain forever loved, forever cherished and forever remembered.

A life well lived. A family deeply loved. A legacy that will live on.