Ernestine LaFlore passed away peacefully on June 26, 2023 at her home in Kenner surrounded by her loving family at the age of 87. She is survived by her children, Sharon Yawn and Daniel Walker (Kathy), and stepdaughters, Denise Coleman (Mike) and Ann Collins. She was blessed to have 9 grandchildren: Beth, Barbara (Chuck), Jennifer (Michael), Kevin, Cole (Nikki), Ryan (Nikki), Ian, Amy (Jeremy) and Dylan. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren: Christopher (Kelsey), Logan, Lana, Mycala, DJ, Dylan, Emiley, Naomi, Haley, Amelia, Connor, Everett and one great-great-grandchild, Brooks. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Ernestine was born to Ethel Johnson Evans and Alton Evans on January 26, 1936 in Nola, Mississippi. She was raised by her loving grandparents, Molly and Joseph Douglas, on their farm in Sontag, Mississippi. She graduated from high school at the age of 18 and soon after graduation, she relocated to Mobile, Alabama for Business School to obtaining a degree. She began work at Merchants National Bank in Mobile as a bookkeeper and here is where she met and married the late Roderick Benard Walker, father to her children. Unfortunately he passed away at a very early age due to a tragic accident in 1971.
She was a member of Sage Avenue Baptist Church and developed a love for her church and religion. She became an active member here and at other churches where she worshiped and served faithfully throughout her life. She was very involved in the Christian development of young children teaching Sunday Bible School weekly for numerous years. She is currently a member of Parkview Baptist church in Metairie LA. Ernestine also loved bowling and was on a bowling league with coworkers at the Florida bowling alley in Mobile.
She found love again and married Herbert LaFlore. They began their life together in Mobile and later relocated to Metairie, LA. Ernestine begin work at NBC of Jefferson, then at Whitney National Bank, and after many years of service she retired. She was active in various banking committees and organization and was highly regarded and respected in her role in the banking industry by colleagues and customers. She developed many lifelong friends during her work tenure.
During her spare time she was a significant participant in her son’s high school booster club with planning and coordinating weekly bingo events and other fundraisers. One of her favorite activities was Friday night lights for her son and later her grandson‘s high school games as well as attending her son’s Mississippi college games every week near and afar and Oklahoma games when able to. She was a lifelong, completely dedicated Alabama Roll Tide fan and made no apologies for it. Ernestine dedicated her life to her family, friends, and church. She was always helping and doing for others: children and adults alike. She was a true servant of God in every meaning of the word. Anyone who met or knew Ernestine loved her. Her true love was her family. She was known to them as Mom, Ernie, and Granny. She was there for all and did not miss an event no matter how big or small when she was able. Ernestine‘s presence is already missed tremendously and will continue to be forever. She is the epitome of one of a kind.
January 26, 1936 ~ June 26, 2023 (age 87)
Services will be held at Parkview Baptist Church, 6301 Camphor Ave., Metairie, LA 70003 on Friday, July 30, 2023. Visitation at the church will begin at 9:00 am for family and 10:00 am for friends with a service officiated by Pastor Michael Reed starting at 11:00 am. Pallbearers serving will be Cole Walker, Kevin Yawn, Ryan Coleman, Dylan Collins, Paul Labella, Peyton Labella, and Cory James. Ernestine will be laid to rest at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 6100 Three Notch Rd., Mobile, AL 36619 on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 11:00 am.
