Ernestine Anthony

Ernestine Anthony was born on October 10, 1927 to Ernest Luther Jones and Amy R. Riddlespurger Jones. She was the first of three daughters who were born to “Dan” and Amy in Mountain Park, Oklahoma, each girl born 6 years apart. They were all delivered at home in that tiny little town in Southwest Oklahoma by Dr. Preston. With the birth of Ernestine, began their life’s joy: being parents. The minute they saw Ernestine’s little face, they were smitten and in love with their baby girl. Their little dog, Pal, who had been #1 with them, walked over to the bed where Amy lay holding her little baby, put his paws on the bed , took a long look at the two of them, and promptly left and went to Grandpa and Grandma Jones’s home in the country. Even though he made periodic visits into town to see the girl who had taken his place as #1, he never spent another night in their home. Their home was a very small frame shotgun house with no indoor plumbing and no electricity but Ernestine could not have been happier or more well taken care of if she had lived in a palace.

She began first grade when she was six and the teachers quickly realized that she was more advanced than the other children her age. On the advice of her teacher and principal, she was allowed to skip a grade and continued to excel in academics all through her elementary and high school career and graduated as the Valedictorian of her class. She played the trumpet in the high school band which contributed to her life-long love of music. She had a beautiful alto voice and she and her sisters frequently sang together, many times in the kitchen while washing and drying dishes

World War I was said “to be the war that ended all wars” but unfortunately, that didn’t prove to be true. World War II began when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, sinking 18 American ships and killing 2,403 Americans. Everyone In the United States was affected by the start of World War II. In addition to the constant worry and concern for the young men who were serving in the Armed Forces, the War, itself, brought adjustments, big and small, to everyone’s daily lives. There was rationing of sugar and other food, gas, saving tin cans, stomping on them, and turning them in for the war effort. It brought great sorrow to Ernestine’s little hometown when the most handsome boy in school, Jack Webster, was killed in a battle overseas. His picture was displayed at her home along with a picture of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In addition to having her favorite Uncle Herman serving in Germany, one of her high school classmates was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for Valor. The War introduced some of the most memorable music ever written – songs like “In the Mood,” “Sentimental Journey,” “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree with Anyone Else But Me,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and countless others. These songs had GI’s and their sweethearts dancing their legs off and Ernestine and her best friend, Athalee, were Jitterbugging experts. They had fun with the “flyboys” who were stationed at Altus Airforce Base and spent many evenings dancing the night away. Ernestine’s Mother prepared many Sunday dinners for those young men who were far away from their families and friends at home.

Little did Ernestine know that she would someday have two sons serving in the United States Armed Forces.

She joined the working world as the bookkeeper at Parson’s Lumber Yard in Snyder. She met a handsome former sailor who was 20 years her senior and he won her heart. His name was Willie Gafton Anthony and somewhere along the way he acquired the nickname “Tank.” They were married by a Baptist minister in the living room of the parsonage in Vernon, Texas on September 8, 1946. They were accompanied by her parents, his Mother, Lillie Anthony, and Ernestine’s two sisters, Barbara and Johnna. They went out for dinner following the ceremony and celebrated, not only their marriage but also her Daddy’s birthday.

They began their married life in a tiny apartment in the back of the Texaco filling station that Tank owned. It had a bedroom and a kitchen and best of all, running water! It wasn’t long before things had to be rearranged to make room for their first baby, a son who was born on August 19, 1947 and they named him John Michael Anthony. It’s amazing how much space a tiny baby can take up and so the family soon moved to a house that was surrounded by a beautiful yard with lots of trees and came equipped with a Granny and Pa and two aunts who lived catty cornered from them and they were only too willing to indulge Mike’s every whim. But, what’s a Mike without a Pat? Less than two years later, Patrick Jerome Anthony (who was named after his Dad’s favorite baseball player, Jerome “Dizzy” Dean) was born on June 4, 1949 and their home started to feel like a three ring circus with two very active, mischievous little boys. What one of them didn’t think of, the other one did and they kept their Mother on her toes every minute of every day. Ernestine did everything to make sure that her boys were happy and content. There were bikes that looked like horses, there was a bedroom with Mickey Mouse wallpaper, and there was even a little concrete swimming pool. There were many trips to the Wichita Mountain Preserve for picnics and swimming in the lakes there. A trip to Craterville Amusement Park was every kid’s idea of a dream day and Ernestine saw to it that her kids never had to miss out on anything. After a few years, the family pulled up stakes and moved three miles south to Snyder. They lived right across the street from the school so it was the perfect location. There were basketball, baseball, and football games, and Ernestine and Tank were present for every event. BUT, there was no mountain to climb and explore so a few years later, they bought some land west of Snyder and sure enough, there stood a mountain just waiting for two rambunctious boys to conquer along with just enough snakes to keep things exciting. The family enjoyed water skiing and one year they spent the entire summer at Lake Lugert in Granite where Ernestine’s parents lived. They had a travel trailer which they parked right by the lake and spent the whole summer vacation camped there. They swam, skied, fished, explored the surrounding shoreline and entertained guests. When reminiscing about the happiest times in her life, Ernestine always remembered that perfect summer at the lake.

She was a “people person” and was happiest when she was surrounded by friends and family. Her love language was cooking for others and many memorable occasions took place around her dining table which was always set with her “good china,”, her Rose Point sterling silver, and beautiful crystal glasses. Susan remembers the wonderful bridesmaid’s luncheon that her “Aunty” hosted on the day of her wedding. Everything was perfect. Ernestine was definitely “the hostess with the mostest!”

While living in Snyder, Ernestine had the pleasure of being in the Ladies Study Club. She served as President one year and one of the responsibilities was creating a scrapbook of the club’s activities. This was long before there was such a thing

called “scrapbooking” and yet, even without Hobby Lobby or Michael’s, she made a very beautiful keepsake for the club to enjoy for years to come.

Ernestine was very creative and her Singer sewing machine was her medium of choice. Johnna remembers her making clothes for her when she was in grade school. One very special creation was a red “cowgirl” shirt with elaborate embroidered flowers and leaves. She was fearless when it came to making the most delicate, dainty, smocked baby dresses. They are heirlooms to be handed down to generations of “Aunty’s” babies. She made drapes and bedspreads and the most gorgeous organdy and lace bassinet liner and skirt for Johnna’s first baby, Susan. It was truly a work of art and that bassinet has held many babies in our family. She crocheted countless afghans to keep those she loved warm and cozy and she was even awarded The Daily Oklahoman’s Golden Thimble Award for her accomplishments as a seamstress. She was completely surprised and very pleased.

She loved the water, a trait she inherited from her Dad who taught her to swim and play in the water. She became a very good water skier and was a very happy camper when she was zipping across the lake – always smiling from ear to ear.

Ernestine and Tank made several trips to California during their marriage and it was so much fun for her family to gather round to hear about all her adventures – she had a way of making you feel like you had been along for the trip. Mississippi was another frequent destination through the years to visit Tank’s southern relatives. He always expressed a desire to move there and when their sons graduated from OU, they packed up and took I-40 East and settled in the tall pines of Batesville in Panola County, Mississippi. It would seem that there was nothing left for Ernestine to learn about hospitality, but living in the midst of all those Southern Belles taught her the art of hospitality, Southern Style. She was a natural. During her time in Mississippi, she worked for the Chancery Clerk of Panola County and made many friends there.

Pat and his wife, Margaret, were responsible for making Tank and Ernestine the grandparents of their first grandchildren – a boy, Michael Patrick Anthony and a girl, Mari Lorraine Anthony. Ernestine finally had a girl in her family and she was even named for her! The grandparents traveled to Panama to celebrate Lori’s birth and spend time with Michael.

The call to return to Oklahoma came in the form of a tiny baby – Ernestine and Tank’s third grandchild. They moved to Oklahoma City and lived next door to their son, Mike and his wife, Vallis following the birth of Patrick Davis Anthony. They took great pleasure in taking care of him while Mike and Vallis worked and they quickly fell into the same routine of being at all of Patrick’s sporting and school events and they loved every minute of it.

Traveling was high on Ernestine’s “Bucket List” and she was blessed to be able to make those dreams come true. She loved cruises and enjoyed two trips to Israel, one of which was with her dear cousin, Peggy. She was in awe of walking in the footsteps of Jesus and seeing things He actually saw. That was such a joy for her and she was very grateful for the opportunity to visit the Holy Land.

Following Tank’s death in 1995, Ernestine joined a Grief Support Group at Mercy Hospital. She enjoyed meeting the people who were in her small group and they developed a close friendship with each other as they shared their lives. They had lots of get-togethers at each other’s homes sharing meals and playing games and sometimes even dancing. She and one of the gentlemen in the group particularly enjoyed one another’s company and began a relationship which lasted until he passed away on September 6, 2023. His name was Eli Rubowitz . They both liked getting “out and about” and always found much pleasure attending the Philharmonic’s Pops series at the Civic Center in downtown Oklahoma City and they faithfully perused the Daily Oklahoman to check for upcoming events they might like to attend. They lived in the same neighborhood and one of their daily routines was for him to come to her house every morning and they would have coffee and a pastry and read the newspaper. Eli would then go home or run errands and later be back for lunch. They would then watch TV or go shopping, or read or snooze in their recliners until dinner. They were pretty much creatures of habit, on Thursdays it was hamburgers from Burger King, on Friday, salmon from Mercy’s Cafeteria, etc. Eli was Jewish so he and Ernestine would observe the Jewish Holy Days, and light the Menorah and go to Torah studies together. In turn, Eli would attend Sunday School and Church with Ernestine, go to Christmas Eve services, and take part in family Christmas and Easter celebrations. It all worked well for them. They took many trips together, both by land and by sea, and thoroughly enjoyed traveling together. We are very grateful for the time they had together and the love they shared.

Ernestine was fiercely independent and lived by herself for many years. She enjoyed working in her yard and grew beautiful flowers. While she was living in Mississippi she became very fond of magnolia trees and decided to plant one in her Oklahoma City front yard. It was probably about 8 inches high when she planted it and I, for one, didn’t have very high hopes for that little tree but it is now a healthy, happy, tall tree and the envy of all who see it. She loved entertaining in her home and was a very competitive game player. Some of her favorite games were Bridge, Mexican Dominoes, and Hand and Foot.

The time came when she could no longer stay in her home and care for herself so her son, Pat and Lynn, her precious daughter-in-law, invited her to live with them and she always felt so welcome there with them in their beautiful home with their two lively dogs! Lynn was an excellent cook and Ernestine was very appreciative of those delicious meals she prepared every day. Sadly, Lynn became ill and passed away and Pat continued to take care of her by himself until it just became too difficult for one person to manage her care alone. She moved into the Arbor House in Norman and Pat faithfully visited her every single day. Our family is so thankful for his faithful devotion to his Mom. She raised a very special son.

Ernestine was a faithful church member in whatever town she found herself and taught Sunday School for many years. While living in Mississippi, she also became a participant in Bible Study Fellowship which is a world- wide, non-denominational Bible Study. She enjoyed the Study so much and always invited others to join her in this very in-depth program. She was responsible for her sister, Johnna, becoming a part of BSF along with her niece, Susan and her 3 children. She continued her participation in Bible Study Fellowship when she moved to Oklahoma City where she was a member of Cherokee Hills Baptist Church. She made such wonderful friends in her Sunday School Class and enjoyed the Women’s Activities. One of her greatest joys at Cherokee Hills was attending church with her mother who lived to be 100. She mentioned many times how much it meant to her to stand by her side as they sang with the congregation on Sunday mornings. She has been wrapped in the warm arms of the sweet people at Heartland Baptist since she moved in with Pat and Lynn. The pastor, Dennis Cariker, and his wife have faithfully visited her at the nursing home where she has been living. She always told me that they would sing for her and she loved that.

Those who were there to welcome her when she arrived in Heaven were her husband, W.G. Anthony, her mother and father, Ernest and Amy Jones, daughters-in-law, Dr. Vallis Anthony and Lynn Anthony, brothers and sisters-in-law, Willis and Barbara McPhail, Robert Sanders, Grover Anthony, Red and Thelma Anthony, Jim Kienholz, Jamie Eads, and her companion Eli Rubowitz; also niece Karyn Miller. There would also have been beloved aunts, uncles and cousins. Ernestine is survived by her sister Johnna Kienholz, sons Mike and Pat Anthony, her grandsons and their wives: Michael and Kelli Anthony, Patrick and Rachel Anthony, her granddaughter Lori Anthony, four great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ernestine was a steadfast and faithful follower of Jesus Christ and she is now enjoying all that God has prepared for those who love Him and on the morning of September 21, 2025 she heard these precious words, “well done, good and faithful servant.”

A visitation for Ernestine will be held Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 North Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK 73131. A funeral service will occur Friday, September 26, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Memorial Park Funeral Home.