Mr. Ernest Wilburn Groce, passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at the Cookeville Regional Hospital in Cookeville, Tennessee, having attained the age of 79 years, 5 months, and 7 days. He was born on Thursday, January 17, 1946, in Albany, Kentucky, the son of James and Ruby (Norris) Groce. Ernest was of the Jehovah’s Witness faith and worked in maintenance for Wolf River Dock. He enjoyed watching wrestling and had a deep appreciation for bluegrass music. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Etta (Poore) Groce, second wife, Peggy Groce, son, Tony Groce, siblings, Arnold Groce, Clifton Groce, Madell Shelton, Mable Cowan, Darlene Groce, Wanda Brown, Ann Slagle, daughter-in-law, Teresa Groce.

He is survived by his sons, Jackie Groce of Albany, Kentucky, Thomas Frame of San Diego, California, daughters, Lisa (& Jim) Gambrell of Russell Springs, Kentucky, Vickie (& J.R.) Brown, Lynette Bagwell, Janette (& Raymond) Laskowski, brothers, Jeffery (&Vickie Owens)  Groce, sisters, Rita (& Roger) Thurman, Joyce Ferril, Elaine Brown, Helen Cummings all of Albany, Kentucky, 22 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

The funeral service was conducted on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. C.S.T. in the Memory Chapel of Campbell-New Funeral Home with Jasper Davis officiating. Burial was in the Groce Cemetery in Clinton County, Kentucky. Casket bearers were Luis Rosario Garcia, Jesse Shelton, Nickolas Alexander, Richard York, Thomas Bagwell, Tommy Bagwell.

Campbell-New Funeral Home of Albany, Kentucky, was honored to be in charge of the arrangements.