Ernestine Gloria Carter

Mrs. Earnestine Gloria Carter, age 78, died at her home in Houston, Texas on April 14, 2012 from pancreatic cancer. Ernestine was born October 31, 1933, in Fort Madison, Iowa to Thurman Bates and Ina Wilkerson Bates. She married Leonard L. Carter on August 16, 1952 in Fort Madison, Iowa. Ernestine is survived by her husband of 59 years, Leonard Carter, and her children: Greg Carter of Houston, Texas; Audrey Carter of Houston, Texas; Michelle (Lonnie) Burgess of Cedar Hill, Texas; and her niece, Sally (James) Houston of Houston, Texas (who was raised with her). Her grandchildren: Noelle (Troy) Griffin, Maryland Heights, MO; Adam Carter, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Angel (Steve) Malan, Cottleville, MO; Joel Carter, San Francisco, CA; Veronica Carter, Houston, TX; Brittany Mulkey, Houston, TX; Amber Morrison, Cedar Hill, TX; step-grandchildren, Morgan Burgess, Lauren Burgess, Lonnie Burgess, Jr. all of Cedar Hill, TX; great-grandchildren, Khalil Griffin, Palo Alto, CA; Tai Griffin and Ayana Griffin, Maryland Heights, MO; Kye Carter, Lennon Malan and Jillian Malan, Cottleville, MO. She also leaves a host of other relatives and friends to cherish her memories. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thurman and Ina Bates, four brothers, Gene A. Bates, Sanford J. Bates, Mertin L. Bates and Thurman Bates; seven sisters, Gladys King, Willela "Billie" McDonald, Katherine Bates (infant), Maybelle Bates, Marquerite Havis, Durelda "Louise" Bates, and Lola Pendergrass; and an infant daughter, Gloria Ann Carter. Ernestine graduated from Fort Madison (Iowa) High School in 1951. She worked in the former Sacred Heart Hospital in Fort Madison, IA from 1955 to 1976. Ernestine also worked for the Los Alamos New Mexico School District and Clear Creek School District with special needs children. She had a special gift for nurturing children wherever children were in need. Ernestine was very active in her church, especially with the Nursing Home visitation ministry and the Outreach ministry. Her caring, giving and nurturing spirit was felt by many. A Celebration of Ernestine's life will be held at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 2920 Highway 3 in Dickinson, Texas (77539), Host Pastor, Lewis D. Little; officiating Pastor, Malcolm C. Dotson Sr. of New Beginning Church of League City, Texas. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Mainland Funeral Home, La Marque, Texas IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, donations can be made to the New Beginning Church Building Fund, 1950 Highway 3 South, League City, Texas 77574-2164