Mr. Ernest Lane was born in Lakeland, GA on February 26, 1946, to Arthur and Ruby Jenkins Lane. He transitioned from this life on Saturday, January 25, 2025. He was a product of local schools of Lanier County and graduated from Lakeland High School, he was Valedictorian of his high school graduating class of 1964. Right after high school, Ernest enlisted in the United States Army, where he served one term. On December 14, 1964, he was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life, the beautiful, kind, and compassionate, Connie Lavern Lane. To this union two loving and devoted children were born, Steven and Allene Lane.  Ernest and Connie moved to Tampa where he worked with his father, the late Arthur Lane in the popular Cozy Corner on Central Avenue and later opened a Cozy Corner on East 34th Street. He became self-employed in his later years and started a lawn care business until he retired. His daughter, Allene served as his ultimate caregiver during his lengthy illness.

He was preceded in death by: supportive father, Mr. Arthur Lane; loving and devoted mother, Mrs. Ruby Jenkins Lane; precious wife, Mrs. Connie Lane; and son, Steven Lane. Ernest leaves to mourn his memory: caring and loving daughter, Allene Lane (Mario Williams); granddaughter, Allure Amaria Lavern Williams; first cousins, Betty Jenkins Taylor, Johnny Jenkins of Lakeland, GA, Gwendolyn Lane Hills, of Tampa, FL., Francina Lane Lewis, of Jacksonville, FL, Vandolyn Lane Stevens, and Emma Lane Emackpo, of Tampa, FL.; other cousins, Rev. James Mann, of Macon, GA, Barbara Wright, Lucritia Kight and Veve Wiggs Sotolongo, of Tampa, FL., the Jones Family, of Ocala, FL., Randreya Goodman and the Bennett Family, of Jacksonville, FL.; extremely supportive and loving in-laws: Wanda Lane of Tampa FL., Joyce Golden of Valdosta GA, Adriene Alderman and Ricky of Naylor, GA., Barbara Rowell of Valdosta, GA., Randy Miller and Shan of Lakeland, GA., Larry Miller and Carolyn of Lake City, FL., as well as a host of very devoted nieces and nephews.