Ernestine Alston

Obituary: Life Earnestine, born on September 30, 1933, was the sixth of ten children born to the late Charlie and Elise Jones Evans. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Rosa Lee, Lillie Mae, Bernetha, Janie Lee, Lucielle; brother, Joseph. Education She was educated in what is now known as the Richland One School District where she attended and graduated from CA Johnson High School. She was a member of the women's basketball. After graduating from high school, she enrolled at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, where she also played basketball. Church At the tender age of 15, Ernestine was baptized by the Reverend Dr. W.H. Neal in the creek behind the church. She always had a deep love for her church and worked so diligently that Rev. Neal bestowed upon her the very prestigious title of "Mother of the Church" after the passing of her predecessor. Ernestine took her duties of this title and the church very seriously and treated them with the utmost respect. She was a member of the musical choir where she sung in the tenor section until she felt it was time to move to the pews so the younger singers could grace the choir stand. She served as the President of the Church Aid Ministry for several years and was also a member of the Deaconess. When her husband was ordained as Pastor at St. Paul Baptist church, she then took her passion for the church to that church family, splitting her time between both churches. Before her passing, she was still an active member of the Church Aid Ministry, serving as vice presidents, and the Deconess Ministry. Employment Ernestine had a love and a gift from God of sewing and was employed by Caison's Draperies and Upholstering where she worked for many years. After the Caison business closed, she had definitely proven herself as a very meticulous seamstress. Therefore, seeing first-hand how lucrative the drapery and upholstering business was, she began her very own home based draperies and upholstering business. Many of the customers she had the privilege in serving while employed at Caison's continued to patronized her home business and help to advertise for her by sharing and showing friends and family her work, resulting in a very successful source of income. She was so good at what she did, that she was able to make draperies for the Governor's House during Governor West's tenure. She not only did draperies and upholstering, she also made clothes for her family, friends and the public. Ernestine sewed up until her health began to fail. Hobbies Her hobbies included singing, sewing, listing to good gospel music, sharing with others, caring for others, but her greatest hobby was loving her family. With her tenacity for the family to remain strong and loving toward one another, she always made sure that the family gathered, sing, play and praise together often, especially on holidays. Memories Left to share and cherish fond memories are her daughters Jennifer Portia Alston (Nathaniel) Shiver, Deborah Jones; son, John Henry Anderson; very special grandchildren, JaWanna Letrice, Tommy Terrell, Nate Alston; other grandchildren, Kerry and Teresa Richardson and Sonya Sumter; great-grands, Daeveon, Ja'leeyah and T'meyah. Sisters, Daisy Johnson and Esther Johnson; brother, Charlie (Ola) Evans. Special Daughters, Revie Mills, Anethia Jackson and Phyllis Williams. A host of nieces and nephews she loved so dearly, other loving family and friends Services: Service for Ernestine Alston will be held 12pm, Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the St John Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 3pm-8pm. Family will be receiving friends from 6pm-7pm.

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