| Notes |
- Born 5 November 1924 in Nashville, Davidson County, TN, to 26 year old Hallie Johnson, an unmarried laundry worker from Kentucky (her second child), Ernest was originally named Roy Thomas Johnson. Left in the care of the Nashville Maternity Hospital by his mother "for the purpose of securing for him a good home", the boy was placed in the care of Joseph and Margaret Belk on 11 May 1925. On 27 August 1925, the Belk's formally adopted the boy and changed his name to Ernest Everett Belk.
7 April 1930 census of Nashville, Davidson County, TN found the Belk family living at 1007 Acklen Ave. They had adopted a son and daughter. They indicated that they had been married 24 years. Also in the household was Maggie's widowed father, Charles Matthews:
Joseph A. Belk 56 TN TN TN Pilot - Steamboat
Maggie A. 44 MO ME MO
Gloria A. 6 TN TN US adopted daughter
Ernest E. 5 TN US US adopted son
Charles G. Matthews 83 ME ME ME father-in-law
Ernest and Mary Lynn Belk divorced 1 May 1952 in Davidson County, TN. Ernest later married Geneva G. Lang on 1 Dec 1961 in Meridian, Lauderdale County, MS. Geneva had divorced her previous husband, Lyle Dalton Lang, on 5 March 1956 in Lauderdale County, MS.
Geneva and Ernest Belk were divorced 11 Feb 1966 in San Diego County, CA.
Ernest Belk retired from the US Navy as a Senior Master Chief, having enlisted on 24 Nov 1941. His ashes were scattered at sea near Oceano, San Luis Obispo County, CA. A memorial headstone honoring his military service is located at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA.
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Obituary - ERNEST BELK
Master Chief Ernest E. Belk, United States Navy, retired, of Oceano died Friday, Dec. 10, 1999, at his home at age 75.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Open Door Church in Oceano, the Rev. Bob Banker officiating. His ashes will be scattered at sea from a plane. A bronze plaque will be placed at Veterans Cemetery at Point Loma, San Diego.
Born Nov. 5, 1924, in Nashville, Tenn., Mr. Belk joined the Navy in 1941, going aboard the USS Tucker in December 1941. He fought in many theaters of the war in the South Pacific and served on the Laffey, a ship that was sunk to the water line but made it home to Seattle to be repaired and returned to duty. He was also involved in the invasions of Sicily, Palermo and D-Day. After many more battles in the European Theater, his ship returned to the Pacific Theater and engaged in battles from Australia to Alaska, earning Mr. Belk many medals and commendations.
Also serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, he earned more medals and other honors. As a shipfitter chief of the Navy, he received O.O.D. qualifications and, therefore, could take command of any ship at any time, his family says.
After leaving the Navy, he served with the military sealift command in Panama, Indonesia, Alaska and other Pacific areas and again won commendations. After retiring to his home in Oceano, he worked as an engineer at Arroyo Grande and valley hospitals, winning awards at both.
Mr. Belk enjoyed flying and belonged to three flying clubs.
He is survived by his wife, Nettie; daughter Judy of San Jose; son Michael of Hawaii; granddaughters Michelle Roberts and husband Kevin, Gloria Cox and husband Robert, Dianna Miller, Catherine Miller and Jane Tenopir; a sister, Gloria Traughber and husband Billie; great-grandchildren Chris, Chase and Courtney Roberts and Jason and Kevin Dhuyvetter and Jacob Cox; many nieces and nephews; and friend and adopted brother, Bill Senna and his wife, Sherwin, of Oceano.
Memorials may be made to Oceano Depot, P.O. Box 535, Oceano, CA 93445; or to Open Door Church, P.O. Box 693, Oceano, CA 93445.
Arrangements are by Lady Family Mortuary in Arroyo Grande.
[The Tribune, Thursday, January 13, 2000]
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1924 - 1999
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