Graveside service for Mr. Erskine Valrie will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 12, 2021 at Valhalla Memory Gardens with Pastor O. Wendell Davis officiating.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the AAMU Department of Athletics (P.O. 1597 - Normal, AL 35762).

Public Viewing: Thursday, February 11, 2021 ~ 12:00-8:00 p.m. at Nelms Memorial Funeral Home

To view the graveside service of Mr. Erskine Valrie, please click on the link below:

https://vimeo.com/510390283/f67f1a3638

Erskine Lorenza Valrie The " Absolutely Not " Man

Erskine Lorenza Valrie earned the title The " Absolutely Not " Man during his tenure at Redstone Federal Credit Union. When friends, colleagues and co-workers asked him to respond to a yes or no question, he would often say "A bsolutely not !" Using the phrase was his way of engaging and interacting joyfully with his team in a fun and loving way. He wanted to be different and unique, some of them would recall, even though a simple "no" was all he needed to say. Erskine enjoyed saying the words just to get his colleagues to laugh and start their day.

The " Absolutely Not " Man was a native of Deland, Florida, and one of six children to the parentage of the late Leslie Russell Valrie and the late Theresa Odessa Turner Valrie. At an early age, he confessed Christ and was baptized at Greater Union Baptist Church in Deland, Florida. He attended Southwestern High School, also in his hometown, participating in the football program and excelling both academically and athletically. He earned a four-year scholarship to attend Alabama A&M College, now Alabama A&M University (AAMU), in Normal, Alabama. He played under the legendary and late Coach Louis " Sugar Bear " Crews.

In the athletic records of AAMU, and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), he holds the record for the punting average of 46.5 yards per kick. When asked if an athlete has surpassed him, he proudly responded, " Absolutely not !" In 1966, the undefeated AAMU Football Team participated in the Black College National Championship Game (Orange Blossom Classic) in Miami, Florida, and Erskine was named and listed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) record books as the second (2nd) best punter.

At AAMU, he was an all-around athlete and lettered in football, basketball and track. Erskine had a sincere passion for athletics. For many years, he served as the official clock operator for the AAMU football program and voluntary assistant basketball coach under the renowned men's head basketball coach, L. Vann Pettaway. He gave freely of his time and resources to women's and men's basketball teams. As a role model, he mentored and advised several young athletes on how to display good, sportsmanlike conduct in their respective sports. Professionally, he played and completed a stint in the Continental Football League, The Alabama Hawks.

Academically and athletically astute, he majored in business administration and received the Bachelor of Science degree and the Master of Science degree in Urban Studies from Alabama A&M University. Erskine started his professional career with the Model Cities Demonstration Agency in Huntsville, Alabama. After a brief tenure with the agency, he became employed with community planning agencies in Montgomery, Alabama and Tuskegee, Alabama. Always seeking an opportunity for further advancement, he became a civilian government employee with the Small Business Administration (SBA) in Birmingham, Alabama. He gave thirty (30) years of dedicated service to SBA and retired in 2004 as the Chief of the Portfolio Management Division.

Following his retirement from the federal government, he was employed at Redstone Federal Credit Union (RFCU) in the Business Lending Department as the Loan Administration Manager. Serving in that position, he made significant contributions in the development of SBA lending and to the mission of RFCU, and he was a valued and trusted advisor. Valrie retired from RFCU in 2013. To stay abreast of the happenings in Huntsville, he enjoyed working in the security division at the Von Braun Center.

Erskine L. Valrie was an active and faithful member of the Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. O. Wendell Davis. He served as a member of the Trustee Ministry and was a coordinator of the ministry for two consecutive terms. Blessed with the talent of financial astuteness and acumen, he made a great and lasting impact on the church's financial solvency. He enjoyed engaging and fellowshipping with his fellow trustees at holiday and birthday celebrations and other gatherings.

His professional and community involvement included board of directors, Alabama State Board of Auctioneers; former member, board of directors, North Alabama Coalition for the Homeless; member, Bulldog Club; member, Athletic Community Resource Group; member, Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc.; member and former treasurer, Huntsville Progressive Alumni Chapter; former referee, North Alabama Football Officials Association; member, Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Hall of Fame; former chairperson, Alabama A&M University Athletic Hall of Fame; and former member, board of directors, Hidden Creek Homeowners Association.

In recognition to his service to the community, he received numerous awards, honors and citations. These include outstanding Alumnus of the Year, Huntsville Progressive Alumni Chapter; William Hooper Councill Service Award, Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc.; Hall of Fame Inductee, High Schools of Deland Sports; 40th Year Service Award, Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc; Appreciation Award, Alabama A&M University Athletic Hall of Fame; 30th Year Service Award, U. S. Government, Small Business Administration; Mamie Labon Foster Award, Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc.; President's Citation, Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc.; Certificate of Appreciation, Alabama A&M University Alumni Association, Inc.: and Hall of Fame Inductee, Alabama A&M University Athletic Hall of Fame.

He was predeceased in death by his parents, Leslie Russell Valrie and Theresa Odessa Turner Valrie, and brother Wesley Russell Valrie.

On February 7, 2021 at University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, Erskine L. Valrie changed his phrase from " Absolutely not !" to " Absolutely yes !", when he heard his Master's voice in his final pronouncement: "Well done, my good and faithful servant, Enter into the joy of My eternal kingdom."

Cherishing his memories and legacy are his dedicated and supportive wife, Georgia Sharp Valrie; two devoted daughters, Lisa Kinsey Smith (Carnell) Decatur, Georgia; Kreslyon Lynette Valrie, Madison, Alabama; four grandchildren: Kalila D. Fleming, Clarksburg, Maryland; Ensign Kyle E. Fleming, Norfolk, Virginia; Courtney Smith, Decatur, Georgia; and Kory E. Fleming, Clarksburg, Maryland; two sisters: Norries Y. Thomas (Charles), Flint, Michigan, and Tyresa Diane Stovall, Deland, Florida; two brothers: James Howard, Clarksville, Tennessee, and Steven E. "Stevie" Valrie, Aurora, Colorado; surrogate mother, Gloria Carlean Dawson, Huntsville, Alabama; special friends: Onree Jackson and Larry Hamilton; gracious neighbors, Don and Jan Bisson, Patsy Brazelton, Morris and Patty Crumpton, William and Janice Greenleaf, Maurice and Robin Johnson, Randy and Diana Martin, Josh and Megan Shumate, Jim Slaughter, Joy Tornquist, Ted and Linda Walton, Winston and Constance Wilson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.