EARNEST HAGAN JR., of Millville, NJ passed away on December 20, 2023, after a brief illness. He was the son of the late Earnest and Lula Bell Hagan Sr.

Earnest attended Seabrook Elementary School and Bridgeton High School. He was an outstanding pitcher in Bridgeton high. He also played in little league baseball and his team went to the championship. Earnest was a quarterback on the Bridgeton Junior High School football team. He was employed at Owen Illinois Glass Factory right out of high school. He was employed at C. F. Seabrook Farms Factory. He worked at Clement Pappas for several years then transferred to Redpack Foods Inc. when he moved to Millville. When the company went out of business, he worked as a Security Guard for a little while then he was employed with Progresso Foods until he retired in 2010. He was a hard-working man who took care of his family and taught his children the value of hard work.

During his young adult years, Earnest was an avid hunter and fisher. Every time he went fishing, he came back with a bucket full of fish. He enjoyed going to the Bridgeton Drive-in with his family. He loved to cook Sunday dinners. His specialty was collard greens, cornbread, potato salad, fried chicken, and banana pudding. He also loved to barbecue, and he mimicked his father's special sauce. Earnest sang in a gospel quartet group at the age of 15 that was formed by his father called the "The Welcome Travelers". The group also included his 14-year-old cousin Nathaniel Holmes, cousin Robert Lee Burden, neighbor Arthur "Big Man" Harper, Nathaniel Glass "Gator", and John Johnson. He often went to gospel concerts with his father and daughter. He had a love for music and collected many video tapes and CDs over the years.

Earnest leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Karen Hagan of Bridgeton, son, Earnest L. Hagan (Juanita) of Maryland, nephew, Nathan Williams, of Newfield, his special niece, Shanina Griffin (Benard) of North Carolina, sister, Gloria Kates, Vineland, son Stevie Hall (Shanese) of Bridgeton, and son, Alfred McCarter of Mississippi.

Earnest was pre-deceased by his wife Martha Louise (Cooper) Hagan, son, Lewis Hagan, mother, Lula Bell Hagan, father, Earnest Hagan Sr., sister, Victoria Hagan, brother, Leonard Hagan, brother-in-law, Richard Kates Sr., and nephew, Leo Hagan. Also left to cherish his memory are his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many family members and friends.