Obituary of Ernest Walter Grafton Jr.

Journey of Life Ernest Walter Grafton Jr. was born on June 16,1950. He was the first of three children born to the late Ernest Walter Grafton Sr. and the late Evelyn Boone Grafton. His sister Veronica Grafton Smith (Paul) and brother Delmar Tauheed Grafton (Qadriyyah) survive him. Ernest attended Baltimore City Schools - PS #45, Edgewood Elementary, Calverton Junior High and Forest Park High School (FPHS), where he graduated in the class of 1968. While very young, he and his siblings took part in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at the neighborhood church: Whitestone Baptist. In later years, he worshipped at the family's home church: Pennsylvania Ave A.M.E. Zion. He lived a "charmed childhood" in a mid-century working class Black Family. There was Boy Scouts, bike-riding, street-skating, and neighborhood activities; including trips to Enoch Pratt Library Branch 8 and the Walbrook Movie theatre with his brother, Delmar. After attending Coppin State University, he held several jobs including cashier at The A & P grocery store and clerk at Baltimore City Circuit Court. He hit a rough patch and was "lost/homeless" for several years in the early 2000's. It turns out he was living in a downtown Mission. There would be intermittent sightings on MTA buses and at Enoch Pratt Central Library; Ernest was always an avid reader, interested in news and politics. In 2007, living on the street in the cold resulted in the loss of his right leg, below the knee. It would be many years later before he was reunited with his family. By sheer coincidence in 2013 he was at Active Day Adult Day Care Center when his sister came in for an appointment to enroll their 91 year old mother (who was not with her). When the staff called the name "Ernest Grafton" to move from the main-room to the lunchroom, the mystery was solved. Mother and son were reunited and spent several years together at the center. Despite it all, Ernest loved life. At one time he had an extensive music album collection. His Pandora playlist was long and included a lot of Rock music. He enjoyed his FPHS 45th class reunion (10-26-13), the Pre-pandemic "All Class Reunion" in 2019 as well as the Post-pandemic "All Class Reunion" in 2022. There were family celebrations of holidays and his birthday, which was on or near Fathers Day. Early on, his father introduced him to Orioles baseball when they went to games at Memorial Stadium. He liked Ravens Football, but he LOVED Orioles Baseball. Akili Singletary Grafton, his only child and son with Alice Karen (Kay) Singletary, was born August 24, 1972. Akili moved to Bladenboro, NC as a child, grew up and made a life there. Ernest was proud to fly (for the first time) to celebrate his son's wedding in Bladenboro on May 7, 2022. He had many health challenges, including multiple surgeries in 2023. On October 26, 2023, Ernest suffered a fall at his Assisted Living Facility (Serenity Manor) and was taken to University Hospital where he transitioned during surgery. Ernest W. Grafton Jr. is survived by his son Akili Grafton (Tisheia), grandchildren Deztinie Carter (Ty), Kiara Davis, Trezur Dickens (Shamar), Akili Grafton Jr., Tyrionna Dockery and great grandchildren Javion, Caleb, Laionna and Kasen. Ernest will be missed by his sister, brother, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. PLEASE OMIT FLOWERS.