Ernestine Johnson

At a young age Ernestine suffered a great loss after the untimely death of her mother. Her maternal grandparents, Frank and Louella Hinson, provided a loving and stable home environment for she and her siblings while her widowed father worked as a contractor in the segregated South. She confessed Christ at an early age being nurtured spiritually by her uncle, the late Pastor C. J. Hinson, through Ross Christian Church, which later merged with the Second Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Ernestine graduated from Alabama State Laboratory High School. She furthered her education earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960 in Finance, and a minor in Economics, from Alabama State College, now University.

In the late 1960’s of the Civil Rights South, while employed at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama, Ernestine was one of the first African Americans tapped for employment with the Social Security Administration in Montgomery. She relocated to Houston in 1972 and transferred to the Houston Northwest Social Security Office, where she retired as a Claims Representative after more than 30 years of service.

In the early 1970’s, Ernestine joined Mt. Ararat Baptist Church. She was a faithful member and was especially proud of her participation with the Senior Ministry’s Dream Team. She remained in service to her community through numerous charitable programs and causes, but she was most proud of her affiliation with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, having been made in the Epsilon Beta Chapter on the campus of Alabama State University Spring 1959. Ernestine continued serving with her sisterhood through Montgomery’s Alpha Rho Zeta Chapter, and later Houston’s Gamma Omega Zeta Chapter, where she served as a Zeta Dove (50-year member) until her transition.

Ernestine entered in holy matrimony to the late Odis Edward Johnson on August 18, 1963. To that union was born their only child, Sonya Bernice Johnson. The couple enjoyed more than 54 years of marriage. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; her daughter; two sisters, Bernice Hinson Stewart and Nadine Hinson; two brothers, Caesar W. Hinson, and Columbus F. Hinson. She leaves to cherish her memories one sister, Arthurine H. Wilson; one brother Carl L. Hinson, both of Chicago, Illinois; sisters-in-law Eleanor Jean Bailey, and Anita Bernice Hicks; one brother-in-law, Fred (Mary) Johnson; godsons, Bill Moore and Edward Mukassa; lifelong friend, Ugertha “Birdie” Hodges, Berkley, California; and nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A visitation for Ernestine will be held Friday, January 14, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Paradise Funeral Home, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088. A visitation will occur Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088. A celebration of life will occur Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Mount Ararat Baptist Church, 5739 W. Montgomery Road, Houston, TX 77091.