Earnest Wayne Dansby

Poinciana — Earnest Wayne Dansby, 70, died Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Poinciana Medical Center, following a lengthy illness. He leaves his wife of 30 years, Sharon Lorraine Greene-Dansby; his daughter, Keneithia “Kiki” Dansby-Taylor and her husband Shawn, two grandchildren, Anya and Shawn Taylor, sisters Sharon Elizabeth Dansby-Fort, Barbara Jo Dansby and Anne Michelle Dansby; brothers Donald Delmar Dansby and Robert Glenn Dansby; a multitude of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, other loved family and friends. Born and raised in Prescott, Arkansas, the son of Stella McCoy Dansby and Earnest Lue Dansby, he has lived in Arkansas, Mississippi, New York and Pennsylvania, retiring and making his final home in Florida. In his early years, Earnest was an amazing athlete. He was an accomplished and well-known football player in his high school years, ran track, played basketball, all despite his early asthma diagnosis. After graduating from McCrae High School, in Prescott, Arkansas, he attended Tugaloo College, in Mississippi, became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Education. Earnest was an educator. He worked at St. Christopher’s School, Lakeside School, Abbott Union Free School District, and the Greenburgh Community Center, where he was affectionately known as “Mr. D” and was adored and respected by so many in his community. He met his wife, Sharon Greene, when her choir (Cultural Horizons) performed at his place of employment, Lakeside School, in New York. They were married in a beautiful and intimate ceremony at their home in Greenburgh, New York, on June 25, 1989. Earnest was an entrepreneur. He owned property in Arkansas and New York and developed his own amazing All Purpose Sauce, marketed as “Dansby’s”. He developed a game entitled “Blistory” and penned a book entitled “A Weekend with Dad”, each based on facts of African-American inventors and inventions. He was always willing and prepared to teach, educate, inform, and encourage an individual to learn about their history and embrace what was, but still be present in the now, in order to build for the future. Earnest was an overall fitness enthusiast. He loved to run and swim. He was an avid tennis player and golfer. He loved music, dancing, socializing and having a great time with his family and friends. From early on, Earnest believed in God and the extraordinary power of prayer. At the time of his passing, he was a member of the Poinciana Christian Church, which he regularly attended with his wife, Sharon. A memorial service will be held, for Earnest, on Saturday, June 1, 2019, beginning at 4:00 pm, at the Osceola Memory Gardens Cemetery, Funeral Homes & Crematory, in Poinciana, Florida. Floral donations are welcomed.

Earnest Wayne Dansby

February 20, 1949 - May 4, 2019