Ernestine Walton was born in Cleveland, Ohio to the late James and Carrie Harper on February 19, 1950. She departed this life peacefully on May 3, 2025 after a prolonged struggle with breast cancer.

Growing up in Cleveland, OH, Ernestine was the eighth of ten children.

Lovett Lee Bryant (deceased), James Harper, Jr. (deceased), Iredell Williams (deceased), Deborah C. Coleman, Kenneth Harper (deceased), Diann Gainer, JoAnn Cleveland (deceased), Robert Harper (deceased), and Patricia Harper.

For 25 years, Ernestine was a housing inspector for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. She retired from there and relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina where she went on to follow her passions and live her life to the fullest.

Our beloved Ernestine was a devoted member of Mt. Hermon Baptist church for 34 years where she faithfully served on the usher board. She will be deeply missed by the entire church community.

Ernestine’s sophisticated and elegant style was a hallmark of her character. She will be remembered as a beautiful, kind, and compassionate soul with an easy smile, an infectious laugh, effortless style and keen eye for detail. Her creative spirit was on display in all of her endeavors.

Left to cherish Ernestine’s memory are her children, Tiffany W. Brown (Lester), and Anthony D. Walton, her grandchildren, Lester G. Brown Ill, Harper Rose Brown, Anthony Walton, Jr., and Austin W. Walton, her sisters, Deborah C. Coleman, Diann Gainer, and Patricia Harper, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.