Ernestine Mary Ramos

Ernestine was born on February 2, 1929, on Dorothy Street in Chula Vista. She was the fourth of 12 children born to Luis and Rachel Lopez. A native Chula Vistan her entire life, and never moved from the city she loved. Her schooling took her through Otay Grammar School and she graduated with honors from Sweetwater High School. Her commitment to her faith was where her true dedication shone. At 17, she was baptized at Otay Apostolic Church, marking the start of her unwavering walk with God.

Ernestine's youth was filled with good times spent with church friends. She enjoyed singing in the youth choir and attending conventions, often piling into Frank Morales' pickup truck for long rides to church events. Music was her passion, and she played both the accordion and the clarinet, the latter of which led her to meet her future husband, José Ramos. One day, Ernestine broke her clarinet, Jose went to repair it – it took extended visits and months to fix, and the rest is history and music to our ears.

On June 17, 1956, Ernestine married José C. Ramos and they were married for 60 years. Together they raised three daughters: Sandra Lynn, Elizabeth Anne, and Caroline Sue. Later, they welcomed Martha Irene and Rose Marie into their family through adoption in 1978.

Professionally, Ernestine found fulfillment as a medical transcriptionist, specializing in orthopedic surgery, until she retired in 1993. She instilled the value of hard work in her daughters and grandchildren and took great pride in her career.

Ernestine’s legacy is one of profound service and generosity. She made sure that everyone around her was fed and cared for- from family members to anyone who walked in her home. Her home was a place of refuge for many families. While pastoring, weekly, she would take milk and provision to those in need. Even the alley cats got fed daily (for generations). Every morning, for decades, she woke to make a packed lunch for her husband and sat to drink coffee with him. She was witty, smart, and expressive with her words. She was a diehard Dodger fan, loved to write, and taught her family how to find a bargain.

One day, in her home, she wept before God, asking what her story was. She had served God all her life, so her testimony was not one of radical change but rather of continual faith. Just as quickly as she had this thought, Psalm One overshadowed her mind: "Blessed is the one who walks not in the path of sinners but delights in the Word of the Lord..." She often told this story as the moment God revealed the power of her life's testimony. Her story was one of relentless devotion to God and never retreated.

In 1975, Otay Church officially sent José and Ernestine to Tijuana to open a mission that began in the small home of Miguel and Georgina Valdez, and in 1979 became the Décimo Segunda Iglesia Apostólica de la Fe en Cristo Jesús del Distrito de Tijuana. They remained pastors there until 2015- a period of 36 years. Alongside her husband, she mentored many leaders and ministers. Under their pastorship, they planted six churches. Ernestine loved the 12va Church and the members they served. She took pride and joy in saying her church congregation had the finest, best, and equipped people, and never caused them hardship.

In 2004, Pastors José and Ernestine and their congregation embarked on a new ministry that would bring thousands to healing, freedom and salvation by leading Encuentros. Some that they initiated, continue today throughout the U.S. and Mexico, transforming the lives of many people. She loved the symbolism of keys; when she ministered with people, she would pray that every door of blessing open for them, in Jesus Name!

Ernestine's life was marked by fortitude, faith, good health, hard work, and excellence. She “showed up,” kept her word, constant, and dependable. She reassured everyone that her life was rich in blessings and joy. Managing her home, family, career, and pastorship was remarkably balanced. Her family received the best of her time and affections, and her attributes modeled the Proverbs 31 woman. She was like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which brought forth fruit in season, her leaf did not wither; everything she did prospered.

On March 27th, 2024, she went home to be with the Lord. Ernestine is survived by her daughters; Sandra Ramos, Elizabeth Ramos Cardoso, Caroline Naranjo, Martha Montoya and Rosa Lopez, her last surviving sibling; Benjamin Lopez, her sons-in-law; Raul Naranjo, Richard Thompson, Samuel Cardoso, Daniel Montoya and Daniel Lopez, grandchildren; Daniel M. (Iris) Ylissa, Jonathan (Jael), Lisette (Jacob), Cece, Erica (Dana), Daniel I., Katherine (Evan), Priscilla (Rogelio) and Aram Jordan, and her great grandchildren; Angel, Jassiel, Luke, Levi & Austin Jose.