From her birth in Canton, the eldest of four children, to her death on Monday, Ernestine lived a life full of purpose and passion. After graduating from Wills Point in 1940, Ernestine moved to Tyler to not only attend Business School, but also show off her skills at college sports. She went on to play women’s professional basketball and traveled all over the world for the esteemed Nu Grape Basketball Team. In 1947, Ernestine wed Marvin Simons and made their home in Dallas. Although it would still be several years before Ernestine left professional basketball, once in Dallas she used her business degree to become a secretary at the Texas School Book Depository. A few decades later, with daughters Tyke and Dawn, Ernestine and Marvin came home to the familial community of Whitton. Ernestine nourished her family with love, boldness, and plenty of spunk. Even after retirement, Ernestine continued to spread light in the community by becoming an officer of the Whitton Quilting Club, an active member at Big Rock Church of Christ and Whitton Church of Christ, and ran a bed and breakfast during First Monday weekends with daughter Tyke. We pray her fiery and caring spirit is still felt in all those who had the honor of knowing our dear Mom, Home, and Grandma.
Ernestine is preceded in death by Marvin Simons and Todd Holmes and survived by her daughters, Tyke Wilkerson and Dawn Holmberg, grandchildren, Trevor and Loie Holmes, Tanner and Natalie Holmes, Stephanie Holmes, Whitney Wilkerson, Kearby and Nathaniel Pina, and Rylee Wilkerson, and was blessed with 7 great grandchildren.
The services honoring Ernestine Simons will be held on Wednesday, March 27th at 10:00 a.m. at Eubank Funeral Home. David Fretwell will officiate the service and all are welcome to attend to celebrate the life of Ernestine Simons.
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