Ernestine Wyatt

Dear family and friends, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother and family Matriarch Ernestine Wyatt. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her daughter’s residence in Greenfield, California. Born to Solomon and Lena Mae Howard in 1932 she was raised in Quitman Georgia, the fourth daughter in a family of eleven children. Ernestine is survived by her five daughters, Gaile Smallwood-Long, (H: Michael), Pat Eberle (H: Will), Robbin Wyatt, T. D. Wyatt, Juliette Sager, (H: Steven), and her youngest brother George Howard (W: Karen & family). Preceded her in death were her beloved parents Solomon and Lena Mae Howard, nine siblings Christanna, Geneva, Freddy, Lula Mae, Arthur, (Vilula-Pat), Willie, James, Earline; her eldest daughter Christine Smallwood, and eldest grandson Lloyd Joseph Perkins Junior.

In the early 1950 ‘s she married and served as a military wife to service members James Smallwood Jr., and later married Walter Wyatt before settling on the Monterey Peninsula. The family traveled all over the states and Germany before they retired at Fort Ord Military Base. It was her love for nature and the beach, one of many reasons she chose Seaside to raise her daughters. In the earlier years of her career, she worked at the Fort Ord café on the base serving soldiers and their families. Not long after moving to Seaside Ernestine sought after a more challenging job and worked as a bank teller at Home Savings & Loan Bank also known as Chase, and Beverly’s Fabric store in Seaside. During a period before more minorities were hired there, she was the only African American employee and she fought courageously against discrimination. Her positive attitude, professionalism, commitment, work ethic, and dedication were invaluable. She strongly believed that everyone was entitled to equal rights no matter what background they were from. She volunteered and supported several charities and organizations throughout the Monterey County. She loved fashion, hats, church service, music, dancing, cooking, and sewing in her spare time. Our mother was a true definition of an exemplary woman with grace and faith who followed her own path.

Mother thank you for being a beautiful soul and for your enduring love we could not have been blessed with anyone else our Angel. Your support throughout the years of our lives was an example of your devotion and faith, we will be forever grateful to you. We would not have the knowledge and skills that we present today if you did not believe in us, you were our best teacher and our biggest supporter. You will always be our definition of a true hero to be remembered as the best part of our lives. We love you dearly and will miss your bright spirit, and beautiful smile as it will always dwell in our hearts until we come to join you.

Family chain: Grandchildren: Jeanine Perkins & family (children: Ashley, James (daughter Layleanah), Cordaisha (son Oscar III), Cordell Jr., (children Cordell III, Carmell-o), and her son Markel; G-daughter Lena Sager & (daughter Lailah), G-son Ryan Sager & family (P: Maria – children Masiah, Aryah, Cameron, Angie), G-daughter Moursha-Long Williams & family (H:Valencio – children Jada, Jordan, Jakobe, Jeanine), G-daughter Sabriah Wright & family (children Malanika, Zyla, Kylen, Asha, Jarroue), G-son Jerrell Encalade & family (W: Azarel – children Isaiah, Josiah, Alicia-Grace); (Son of Lloyd Jr., - Lloyd-Jamel III - daughter – Loriel), cousins Billy - Evelyn Baker & family, Edwin & JoAnn Givens & family, Goddaughters; Gail, Diane, Debra Lowe), and Gloria Williams, also to include many nieces and nephews.

We give special thanks to mother’s girlfriends Barbara Tucker, Pat Jenkins, Martha Mysazk, and all the other friends and people who befriended our mother over the years she cherished your friendship.

There will be no memorial service as we will honor our mothers wish to spread her ashes over the mountains and out to the sea. We thank everyone for their prayers and support, God Bless You.