Sunrise: September 25, 1940

Sunset: May 23, 2024

Our beloved Ernest Siders was called home by God in the early morning of Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 1:00am, surrounded by his loving family.  Known to many as “Ernie,” he will always be remembered as an open-hearted, kind soul who will be missed greatly. 

Ernest was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina to his late parents Sheppard Siders, Sr. and Alethia Estelle (Coleman Turner) Siders.  He graduated from Bonds-Wilson High School in Charleston and set off for New York City at age 18. There, Ernest met and married the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Ruby Martin. They eventually settled in Holliston, Massachusetts and raised three beautiful, loving children: Vincent, Valerie and Venecia.  

Ernest earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pace College (Class of ’69) in New York City; a Master of Business Administration degree from the Sawyer Graduate School of Administration at Suffolk University (Class of ’79) in Boston; and, further studied at Pratt Institute and the New York University Graduate School of Business & Public Administration. 

As a natural teacher and mentor, Ernest became an Adjunct Professor of Banking Economics at Simmons College in Boston, and of Economics & Management at Lesley University in Cambridge.  Ernest was the Principal & Founder of his own Siders Equity Partners and Chairman & CEO of Taxkings. Initiated in 1988, Siders Equity Partners extended a lifeline to help entrepreneurs start up, sustain success, and render exceptional service, serving the South Shore of Massachusetts, and supporting over 100 businesses.  Ernest worked for over 30 years in finance and banking. He was an executive with State Street Bank & Trust Company, managing Mutual Funds and Pension Funds, and had experience with The Bank of Boston, Unity Bank, and major New York banks: Bankers Trust Company and Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company. 

A true man of God, Ernest’s life was a living testimony of faith, deep compassion toward others, and dedication to Christ. He was appointed as Treasurer of the Old Colony Association, a collective of 53 churches in southeastern Massachusetts, and he served as Trustee for the Massachusetts American Baptist Investment Trust for 12 years.  Ernest was a dedicated member of Messiah Baptist Church for over 40 years, and President of the Messiah Baptist Jubilee Federal Credit Union for a decade. He was also the Auditor for The Lighthouse Of Faith In Christ Jesus ~ A City Mission, and served on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards.  Ernest was Comptroller for the New York Urban League and was also Treasurer and a member of the Investment Committee for the Massachusetts Venture Capital Corporation (MVCC).  He was a man with great, longstanding dedication to revitalizing and enhancing local communities. 

In addition to his parents, Ernest is predeceased by his brothers: Sheppard Siders, Jr., Robert E. Siders, Harry L. Siders, and Thomas B. Siders; his sisters-in-law: Shirley (Lloyd) Siders and Anne D. (Ray) Siders; and, a nephew, Corey E. Siders. His memory will be cherished by his wife Ruby (Martin) Siders; his children: Vincent Ernest Siders, Valerie Elayne (Siders) Small and her husband Jody Nathan Small II, and Venecia Elise Siders; and, his grandchildren: Nathaniel Small, Autumn Small, Isabella Small, and Benjamin Small; his sister, Celia E. (Siders) Russell, and brother, William E. Siders; his nieces: Shavaughn Russell, Novella Russell, and Yolanda (Siders) Lewis; his nephews: Robert Russell and Eric Siders; his brothers-in-law: James Martin and William Martin; his great-grandniece Hassana Alexander; and, his extended family and friends. 

Closer to home, Ernie will always remain in our hearts as a man who found joy in spending time with his family. He shared his love for Scripture, travel, theatre arts, visual arts, music, and a decent meal with an occasional coffee and sweet treat.  Christmastime, with its energy, sights, sounds and movies, was his favorite time of year.  He had a great sense of humor and was always interested in conversations on religion, culture, and sports; and so, he made friends anywhere he would go!  

All around, he will be dearly missed as a devoted Husband, adoring Father, cherished Papa, wonderful Brother and Uncle, as well as a Mentor and Friend to all who have shared with him this wonderful life with which he was blessed!  

A Celebration of Life Service will be on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the Messiah Baptist Church, 80 Legion Parkway, Brockton, MA.  Arrangements are in the care of Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave, Worcester.