Ernestine Gibson

Earnestine was born March 3, 1939, in Chicago, Ill, to Isaiah Ivy and Magnolia Jeanett Ivy. who preceded her in death. Ernestine graduated from Providence High, where she excelled in academics and sports. Her greatest passion was bowling, which she enjoyed competing in alongside her father and friends. Ernestine enjoyed traveling and exploring new things, demonstrating her skills as a model and hairstylist, using her sister Teresa as a hair model.

She won awards for outstanding hairstyles and beautiful, creative looks, which earned her a feature in Jet magazine. Ernestine continued to explore and set goals for herself, becoming a skilled Administrator and IT specialist working for HL&P Electric Company, MCI, Texas Title, and Telecheck Communications.

As a young adult, she married Robert Tharpe Sr, who has preceded her in death. Ernestine later married James Kyler Sr. She later moved to New Albany, Mississippi, where she met and married Claudius Gibson, who passed away in 2013. While in Mississippi, she became an elementary teacher and worked for a battered women's shelter. In addition, she was a dedicated contributor to St. Jude's Hospital for children.

Ernestine leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Robert Tharpe Jr., Joy Tharpe, and James Kyler Jr. (Tiffany); stepchildren, Mario Tharpe, Barbra Gibson, and Lee Gibson.

Grandchildren Brian Tharpe, LaShawn Harris, Jaylin Kyler, great-grandbabies Aiden Harris and Lela Harris, and her god-great-grandbaby D'kobea Phillips, her riding partner for ice cream. Also preceding her in death was her granddaughter, Melissa Mildred Tharpe.

Ernestine adored her siblings, often expressing how proud she was of their accomplishments. She is survived by Teresa Ivy, Keith Ivy (Deneen), Phyllis Broughton, Lorraine Y. Ivy, Eric Ivy (Linda), Wardell Bailey, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family, god-daughters, and friends, also survived by her aunt, Sister Mary Noreen, 96.

The visitation will be held at Earthman Resthaven, located at 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060, on January 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

A Celebration of Life will follow at the same location from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm.

The committal will take place at Earthman Resthaven Funeral Home & Cemetery, also at 13102 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77060, from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm on January 10, 2026.