Obituary of Ernestine Johnson
Ernestine Hoskins was born on January 4, 1931 in Monroe, Michigan. She was one of eight children born to the union of Manuel Hoskins and Irine (Short) Hoskins. Ernestine graduated from Monroe High School with the Class of 1948. On April 27, 1951 Ernestine married George Allen of Indianapolis, Indiana. She later wed Willie R. Johnson and the couple were blessed with sixty-eight years together.
While living in Indiana, Ernestine was employed by RCA Victor. After moving to Monroe, she spent time working at the Lutheran Home and Woodall Manufacturing before retiring in 1979. Ernestine also loved working with the Head Start program at Lincoln School in her neighborhood.
A devout Christian, Ernestine was a longtime member of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe where she shared her angelic soprano voice in the choir and served on the Mother’s Ministry. A deeply compassionate woman, Ernestine instantly charmed anyone she met. She often tended to the sick and regularly took the time to send a card to anyone in need of cheering up. She was an avid bowler, enjoyed working puzzles, and very competitive at the game of checkers.
Although Ernestine was often described as the most caring, sweet, and soft-spoken person you ever had the pleasure of knowing, she was a fighter. Ernestine was an example of resilience, surviving pancreatic cancer and two strokes. She was currently in the battle of her life as she fought Alzheimer’s.
Ernestine (Hoskins) Johnson, age 92, of Monroe, entered God’s Kingdom of Heaven on Monday; July 3, 2023. Her passing was preceded by her parents; a son: George William Allen Jr.; two brothers: Manuel Hoskins Jr. and Robert Hoskins; and a sister: Jessie Miller.
To cherish her memory, she leaves her husband: Willie Johnson; three daughters: Katherine (Elliott) James, Denise (Donald) Gray, and Myrna White all of Monroe; two sons: David (Sonja) Johnson and Willie Johnson Jr. both of Monroe; a brother: Fred (Hildie) Hoskins of Tacoma, Washington; three sisters: Leola (Lymon) Jett and Wanda Montague both of Monroe, and Bernice Bates of Ypsilanti, Michigan; thirteen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Friends may gather on Friday; July 14, 2023 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. Ernestine will lie in state from 10:00am until the time of her Homegoing Celebration at 11:00am on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at Second Missionary Baptist Church, 501 Clark Street, Monroe, Michigan 48161. Procession will follow to Woodland Cemetery in Monroe for burial.
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