Born: September 3, 1933 in Tibbee, Miss. where she lived until 1939 when her parents, Lawrence and Willette Cannon Quinn moved the family to St. Louis, MO. She graduated from Lincoln Elementary School, attended Garfield School of Expression, graduated from Vashon High School, then attended Hubbards Business School in St. Louis, MO. She attended McMurray College in Abilene, TX; received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Texas-Austin; Master of Education from Antioch College-Austin, TX; and Dr. of Metaphysics from the White Temple in Colorado.
Ernestine was married to John H. Hughes of Lawrence, KS who fathered five daughters four of whom (Glenda K. Hughes, Paula Hughes Holloway, Joni R. Hughes, and Linda K. Hughes (Glenda’s twin) preceded her in death. She was married to Robert W. Sunderland who preceded her in death. Robert was the father of Lawrence Sunderland, Linda Sunderland, and Rebecca Sunderland. She is also preceded in death by her brother Lawrence Coleman and his wife Kalima Coleman. Ernestine is survived by one daughter Michelle Q. Hughes, sister Ollie Q. Simms, granddaughter Quintessa H. Lewis and husband Arton Lewis, grandson David Galvan and husband Chris Galvan, grandson Quincy Proctor, granddaughter Jennifer S. Jung and husband Nic Jung, great grandson Dionte Carr and his fiancée, great grandson Donald Taylor, Jr. and his wife Kaila Taylor, great grandson Axel Jung, great grandson Bryce Utuk, great granddaughter Emerson Jung, five great great grandchildren, niece Denice Harvey and husband Terry Harvey, niece Diane Hughes Collins-Wilson, grand niece Marla and her daughter Serafina, as well as her brother Lawrence Coleman’s children and their children.
Ernestine was a long time active member, as well as Life Elder, of University Christian Church where she served as a deacon and member of the MidTowners’ Neighborhood group for over 40 years.
Capped and served as Red Cross Gray Lady, Volunteer Coordinator of Experience Unlimited, Den Mother of Brownies and Girl Scouts, Military Wives Advisor, Secretary of Neighborhood Library Group, Advisory Board member for Community Television and Secretary of Widows Alone. Participated as Substitute Teacher for Austin ISD, Researcher for the Mexican-American Research Foundation, Assistant Project Manager for the Austin Women’s Center, Research Assistant for the Children’s Defense Fund, Manager for US Census Pilot for 1980 Census, Contract Monitor for the Governor’s Office, and Contract Monitor for the Texas Workforce Commission.
Ernestine loved spending time with family and friends as well as meeting new people. For a time she managed the blackjack & poker table at the Common Interest. She frequently dealt games for Onyx casino and other businesses at events, including those for charity. She enjoyed singing and did so often the Common Interest accompanied by a piano and later karaoke. She even sang for friends at their weddings. She loved cooking, entertaining, travel, learning, and helping others. She could really be a hoot, too! When we were in the grocery stores babies always gravitated towards her. Her smile and laughter could light up a room, but you better behave. She sang songs of the 40s and 50s to her children instead of the typical lullaby. And she loved to sing scat! Her signature song is I Love The Night Life and she could really get a crowd on their feet. Everyone who knows her knows how much she loved Perry Mason and many of us called him her boyfriend — haha. She collected friends by the hundreds. She is respected and loved by her family and friends in the church, neighborhood, wherever she worked, her doctors’ offices, and absolutely at the Common Interest and elsewhere.
Ernestine left us early Sunday morning September 5, 2021. She is with those who had gone before and they are having a grand time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give to your favorite charity. Thank you for wearing your mask during the service. Masks will be provided if you don’t have one.
Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 pm Friday, September 17, 2021 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas. Graveside service 10:00 am Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 S IH 35 Frontage Road, Austin, Texas 78704. Live Stream Link: https://youtu.be/hRZSH3E23Pw
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