Ernestine Thompson

ERNESTINE THOMPSON was born in Somerville, Tennessee on January 13, 1934, to Jesse B. and Maurice (Murphy) Rivers. She was the only child born to this union, but would often say that she made up for that having nine children. Ernestine cherished family and was a dedicated mom, raising her children to know and love the Lord. She taught through her life’s example values of integrity, purposeful work serving the needs of others and persevering through pains and hardships, both of which she knew well.

Ernestine was the kind of woman that was there when she was needed. She held a quiet strength, which offered a steady shoulder to lean on, and she offered practical guidance seasoned in wisdom to the one who was wavering. She saw it an honor to give to charitable services, helping others in need even though her own resources were often sparse. You see, Ernestine understood that everything is a gift from God. She knew of His mercy and grace and held it close in her heart. 

It would seem natural that Ernestine would be attracted to a career in nursing. She would speak of how the steady work and flexible hours were critical to her ability to provide for her family. She served for decades with devotion, excellence and dedication in the field of healthcare. She entered her career at St. Vincent Hospital, as well as Wishard Hospital, (now Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital); and the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, where she ultimately retired. Her work ethic and aptitude afforded her opportunities to attend to some of the most intensive and sensitive patients requiring burn care, surgery, and geriatric care.

“Ernie” loved music! She loved studying the history of music, and how many genres have deep roots in Rhythm and Blues. As a true Blues aficionado, Ernestine immersed herself in the original soul music, and became quite the repository of knowledge about the Blues, and appreciative of old time bluesmen from Albert King to Z.Z. Hill. Her friends included the internationally-known Yank Rachel, as well as regional legend Gordon Bonham. In the early 1990s, she set up her own business, Blues Time Production, to help manage Yank’s career. In 1994, she spearheaded a fundraising campaign to furnish headstones for two landmark local blues musicians, Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell, who had been buried in unmarked graves. The event was attended and celebrated by city and local community leaders, including the mayor, and covered by print and broadcast press.

Ernestine loved to surround herself with family and dear friends, who could not get enough of her graciousness, peaceful presence, intelligent conversations and wit. She went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the age of 90, as her dear family cheered her on to glory, giving thanks to God for her precious life.

Ernestine was preceded in death by parents, Jesse B. and Maurice Rivers; and sons Glenn Thompson and Patrick Brown. She is survived by daughters, Shirley Curtis (Michael), Teresa Thompson, Laverne Thompson, and Rosemary Tolley (Mike); sons, Michael Thompson, Earl Thompson (Susan), and Samuel Brown; grandchildren, Zachary Thompson, Brianne Thompson, Broderick Thompson (Alli), and Victoria Thompson; great granddaughter, Naomi Price Thompson; and a host of extended loving family and friends.