Ernestine Thompson

Ernestine Thompson was born January 21, 1938 in Myersville, Mississippi to Olivia Turner. Her mother was very instrumental in her migration North to Chicago. Where she knew she would have a better life. Ernestine had many fields that she worked in before finding her true love as a caretaker. Ernestine was a security guard, a RN where she cared for many private high profile clients on Chicago’s Lake Shore Drive. Not only did she take on nursing she followed many other dreams. She was a phenomenal cook, and because of that gift she owned her own Restaurant back during a time when women were not recognized as BOSSES. After a study of God's word, Ernestine dedicated her life to Jehovah and symbolized her dedication through water baptism becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses. She was an avid reader and studier. Every notebook lying around her house had notes from the scriptures she studied daily. Working in the field ministry these last few years of her life seemed to be the best job she had, spreading the good news of God's kingdom. Often you would find Ernestine on the phone chatting with friends and family. Her laughter was truly infectious. Over the past three years she became amazed with the smartphone and was the character for many family funniest video moments. She lived her life without walls and broke many glass ceilings on her journey. She loved to travel, her most memorable trip was to Paris. A trip she often talked about. Ernestine, better known as "The Duchess", was considered a Southern Bell. When you saw her she was always dressed from head to toe. Adorned with her gloves and hats to match every purse and shoe, bling on every finger, and she would not be caught without her purple lipstick. On Thursday, December 8, 2016, Ernestine fell asleep in death, late in the evening after her normal morning of seeing her twin boys off to work, and talking to her baby girl on the phone. Ernestine’s mother, father, sister and husband Willie Thompson all preceded her in death. Ernestine leaves to celebrate her life, one brother, Jerome Brooks (Pearl); six children, Ray Brooks, Jackie Brooks (Debbie), Tracey Brooks, Darshell Slaughter (Toy) and the apples of her eye, her twin boys Wilbert and Willard Thompson, who she tirelessly cared for till the end. Ernestine leaves a legacy of love, eight grandchildren, Tracell (whom she called Hotcakes), Roy, Margret, Andre (she named Top cat), Jeremiah (who she named Preacher), Natoya, Toy III, and a newly added grandson Jeremiah M.; four great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She had many special friends in the Kingdom Hall, whom she talked about daily. Each of them treated her like a true "Duchess".

Tributes

Ernestine Thompson

January 21, 1938 - December 8, 2016