Ernestine Russell

Ernestine Russell was born October 29, 1949 in Chicago Illinois to the late Jasper Russell and Ruby McCullough. In addition to her parents in Eternity, she now joins her two children Demetrious (Deno) and Levetrious (Debbie), four brothers: Sunny Russell, Jasper Russell Jr. (Boyzie), Willie Gator (Tony) and Rickey Gator, her twin sister Christine Russell along with sisters Gloria Dean Russell and Rosemary Wysinger. She was a twin born fourth of fifteen children. Ernestine was a family oriented woman who had a huge heart and gave great care to those she loved.

She found Christ and developed her own relationship with God. She attended Life Changers Restoration Ministries in Lilbourn MO under the leadership of Pastor Earl Grissom. Ernestine was a woman who wore many hats, she was an artist, worked as a seamstress, mechanic, carpenter, herbalist and as a teenager sang alto in the Russell Singers group who's greatest highlight was performing at the legendary McCormick Place in Downtown Chicago. The most fitting role was motherhood to her treasures Deno, Debbie and Leno. Ernestine had a passion as a caregiver, in her younger years she adopted her twin sisters' grandchildren as her own, nieces KiKi, Dee Dee, Christine (Pudah), Neveah, Wisdom (Dimples) and nephew Noah. She stepped into a motherly role in her family and they respected her as such. Her gentle touch and loving spirit made her perfect for that calling, extending to her love of many animals.

In her free time Ernestine would watch her favorite shows The Cosby Show, The Three Stooges and she loved her Cartoons. She kept a clean home, she enjoyed shopping, keeping her deep freezer and pantry stocked with groceries and ingredients to feed the whole neighborhood. She enjoyed baking specialty treats like her classic "hamburger cake" for her girls. 

Ernestine's laughter and telepathic humor shared with her twin sister will truly be missed by us all. However, God's telepathic invitation to join Him in Eternity was extended to Ernestine at Daybreak Nursing Center in Minor Missouri at the wise and ripe age of 74 on November 25th. She lives on through Adonis Russell (Leno), Jasper Russell (Jabo), Dejanique, Dymond, Damien, and a host of great grand children. Siblings includes sister and caregiver Ruby Riley (Thomas Riley), Ola Mae Williams, Lolly Russell, Lester Russell, Ronald Gator, Brandon Russell, Delilah Landers, and Cornelia Williams. Her nieces, nephews, extended family and friends will continue to live on through the great memories of Ernestine Russell. 

 A memorial service will be held at a later date.