ERNESTINE FRANKLIN

Ernestine was born on August 4, 1942 in Dermott, Arkansas to Caesar and Ernestine Carlyle, Sr. She was called “Sister” by her siblings, and “Ernie” by friends. She was educated through Little Rock, Arkansas public-school system. When it came to sports, Ernestine was a competitive sports player. She played Basketball in high school which she loved and dancing. Growing up, she was taught the importance of hard-work, dedication, God, and family by her parents.

On May 19, 1963, Ernestine married the love of her life, John Louis Franklin, from Monroe, Louisiana. They later moved to San Diego, California. As their love grew so did their family. She supported her children in their many endeavors. If she wasn't in the stands at Pee Wee football games, she was taking them to Judo practice or competitions. Ernestine was always seen on the sidelines rooting for her children, relatives, and their friends. If she wasn't at a game, she was taking them to swimming lessons and piano lessons with Mrs. Robinson. She loved taking her granddaughters SuKura and Tatum to singing practice with Mrs. Christine Smith. Ernestine was always in the audience at a talent show or awards ceremony. She was going to make sure someone was there for you on your special day.

Many times, Ernestine was called away from work to check on one (Colvin) at least 3 to 4 times a week until she started making pop up visit to correct the situation. She constantly filled in for parents who couldn't take off work to see about their children. When it came to her grandchildren, she continued to give that same support every chance she had. If you were a neighbor's child and she saw that you had a dirty face, she would tell you to come here, wash your face over, grease you up with Vaseline and send you on your way.

Sister, as she was affectionally called, was very soft spoken and used kindness, to win others. To know Sister was to love her. She was an evangelist in her own way, extending a helping hand to those who were in need and encouraging those who crossed her path. Sister was known for her homemade Lemonade, Peach Cobbler, Tea Cake Cookies and Corn Bread Dressing. She was also an exceptional seamstress; Sister could sew and create outfits to fit any size woman or man. She was the interior decorator, the carpenter and Mrs. Fix It. If she couldn't fix it, you never knew it, because she would rig it and it would work leaving you with a blank look on your face of "how she do that?" You name it, she did it all. She was just that talented. Sister was more than a Proverbs 31 woman-she was a Phenomenal woman of God who shared her talents with others, every day. She was a “ToTal Woman”, who trusted in God completely.

Sister retired with 22-years of faithful service with Defense Finance and Accounting Department at the Naval Supply Center downtown. Sister continued to keep herself busy visiting the sick and shut in, doing before and after school day care and providing foster care to children who were removed from their homes. Sister was an avid learner- she became a student in school typing over 65 words per minute with no errors and learned how to operate the computer.

Sister accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age in Little Rock Arkansas. Sister joined Greater Trinity Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. G. James Phillip Washington, where she served faithfully on the Adult Usher Board and Senior Usher Board for many years. She was a faith member of the Sunday School, BTU, and Deaconess Board. She supervised the Youth and Children Usher board for over 35 years. Under her supervision, the children and youth won several usher drills and oral and speech competitions. She even had one usher (Kai) to learn 40 scriptures in two days. Her passion was children and the less fortunate. Sister saw the potential in every child to become great. She continued to believe in you until you started believing in yourself. She felt everyone should have a hand up, no matter who you were. She was going to counsel you and encourage you all in the same breath. Her words, "DON'T LET ANYONE STILL YOUR JOY" and "Come on Let's Pray about it;" Motivated you to do just that- Pray about it.

Ernestine was called to her eternal home in Glory, on Sunday, April 26, 2020. Ernestine was preceded in death by her parents, Caesar and Ernestine Carlyle Sr., her siblings: Dauphina Coleman, Caesar Carlyle Jr., Twins; Martha Simmons and Mildred Davis, Thomas Carlyle and Mary Henry.

HER LEGACY

Precious memories will live on forever in the hearts of her husband, John Louis Franklin of 56 years of marriage; her children: Anita Mullens (Duane) of Marietta California, David Franklin (Christina) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Dorothy Franklin and Alrenita Anderson both from San Diego, California. Her grandchildren; Kai Mata Sr., SuKura Webster, Elhij Franklin, Tatum Anderson, Evhan Franklin, Levi Anderson. Great grandson Kai Mata Jr. Her siblings; Harold Carlyle (Ernestine) of Cerritos California, Stanley Carlyle Sr. (Ernestine) of Joliet, Illinois, Nettie Glover of Inglewood, California and Archie Carlyle of Yazoo, Mississippi. Two Goddaughters; Melissa Taylor and Emoni Raymond of San Diego, California. Her BFFs Erlinda Tottress of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Cathy Mihalenko of LaPorte, Indiana and a host of nephews, nieces, and other relatives, and friends.

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