Ernestine Hamlin Smith

Ernestine Hamlin Smith was born October 1st, 1936, in Abbeville, Alabama from the union of Eston Gamble and Pet Elizabeth Gamble. She was the second of three girls.The family left Abbeville and moved to Dothan, Alabama where Ernestine attend elementary, middle, and high school.

In high school, Ernestine played as a forward on the basketball team and she was quite good at it! Ernestine loved basketball. She was a Warriors fan, and during basketball season, you could hear her always cheering her team on. Ernestine graduated from Dothan High School in 1954.

After high school, she met and married L. B. Hamlin. From that union they had three children. The union ended in divorce, but they remained good friends. Later, Ernestine and her three children relocated to Ohio where they lived with the family of Robert and Zenobia Sneed. Because she could not find work in Ohio, Ernestine moved the family to New Jersey in 1970. She was able to begin a new life with her sister Josephine. Ernestine found work as a county clerk with the county of Essex, New Jersey. She worked in this position for 27 years until her retirement.

In 1992, Ernestine met and married William Smith. They remained married until his death in November 2006. Ernestine was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness in 2006. She loyally loved Jehovah and the friends. She also loved going to the meetings and she faithfully attended till the end.

Ernestine’s favorite colors were purple and yellow. She shined when she wore those colors! She loved to cook and would often put together a good meal for her family and friends. She was also willing to help in the kitchen at gatherings and events. She loved for things to be neat and tidy. She always kept a clean house and a clean car. Ernestine was a loyal friend. She was there when you needed her, you could count on it.

Ernestine leaves to mourn her passing: two daughters, Harriet Bowers of Montclair, New Jersey and Donna Hamlin of Covington, Georgia.; one brother, David Gamble; five grandchildren, Bonnie Bowers, Lamar (Courtney) Hamlin, John C. (Aisha) Bowers Jr., Roberts Rankins Jr., and Brianna Bowers; eleven great grandchildren, Cassidy Hargrove, Kaiden Hargrove, Callyx Hargrove, Jeremiah Ramos, Caliber Hargrove, Mekhi Hamlin, Kairo Hargrove, Malaya Hamlin, Clayton Hargrove, Raina Rankins, and Iris Bowers; several nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Ernestine was preceded in death by her father, Elder Eston Gamble and mother, Pet Elizabeth Gamble, both of Dothan, Alabama; her son Michael A. Hamlin of East Orange, New Jersey; son-in-law John C. Bowers Sr. from Montclair, New Jersey; two sisters, Josephine Decree of Irvington, New Jersey and Zenobia Sneed of Trotwood, Ohio, and brother Michael Gamble of Dayton, Ohio.