Obituary of Ernestine Gordon

The sun rose on the life of Ms. Ernestine Gordon on January 26, 1926 in Holly Grove, Arkansas when she was born to Charles and Virgie Ann Woods. The youngest of three children, she had one brother, Will and one sister, Reba. A happy child, Ernestine was always helping out on the farm and singing in church. She sang as a part of a trio with her brother and sister. Educated in the public school system, Ernestine attended school in Arkansas until the twelfth grade when she quit school to get married.. On April 24, 1942, Ernestine was united in marriage with her high school sweetheart, Bubba McClain. Her favorite memories of the marriage were how they took the train to Denver, Colorado and how beautiful the trip was and having children. To this union were born two beautiful daughters, Wanda and Gloria. In 1966, Ernestine was united in marriage with Robert Gordon, Sr. in Denver. She met him at a card game. The couple loved playing cards and going on vacations out of state. In later years. her grandchildren, Willie,Jr., Darell, Dwight, Earscell and Darnell, Jr. were a special source of joy in her life. They called her "Big Mama" and loved her good cooking and playing cards with her. She told them about farm life and told them to do good in school. "Bring home A's on your report cards or you will hear from me." A woman of faith, Ernestine was a member of Greater St. John Baptist Church for twenty-three years. She was a Mother of the church. By profession a chef, she was employed with the Denver Petroleum Club for over 30 years in the position of head chef. Her co-workers knew her for hard work and loving to play practical jokes. In her free time, Ernestine enjoyed family, friends, playing cards and vacationing. Her best friends, Sis. Ethel Daniels, Sis. Willis, Sis. Barbara Jones and Sis. Mabel Washington loved her wonderful cooking and her sense of humor. Her favorite expression was, "Just keep living, you'll understand one day." She also often said, "Tell it like it is and shame the devil", "It is between you, me and the bed post.", "Lord have mercy on my poor soul!" and "Do you know anything?" Her favorite color was red. She loved roses and most enjoyed R&B and gospel music. "Ernestine Gordon loved her daughters and five grandsons. She enjoyed recalling the "good old days' with her grandsons and spilling the beans about things her daughters did as children to their sons. She liked telling them about her childhood, living in Chicago and living on the base with her first husband in New Mexico." Her love, laughter and joy in her family will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to be a part of this lovely lady's life. To know Ernestine was to love her. The sun set on the life of Ms. Ernestine Gordon on May 26, 2017 when the Lord called her home to eternal rest. She is preceded in death by her parents, and sisters. Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Wanda (Hoffman) Hoskins of Aurora, CO and Gloria (Darnell) Mallard of Denver; grandsons, Willie Drinker, Jr., Darell Drinker, Dwight Drinker, Earscell Mallard and Darnell Mallard, Jr.; fourteen great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Rest in peace...Mother Ernestine