Ernestine M. Blanding

Ernestine Blanding was born September 11, 1937, to the late Horace and Mary Jackson of Winter Garden, Florida. She met and married Jesse Nathaniel Blanding, a Korean War Veteran, in New York. Their union was blessed with several children. Together as a family, they resided in Queens, New York, for several decades. Much later in life, Ernestine returned to Tildenville, Florida to take care of her mother Mary Jackson. She decided to stay in Tildenville, where she flourished, and it became home to her for many decades. Ernestine was a woman of faith. When she decided to stay in Tildenville, she became a faithful member of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church for many years. She later moved her membership to the International Church of Faith Church in Orlando, Florida, under the leadership of her pastors, Bishop Mary and Willie Barnes. There, she was also a faithful member and recognized as the eldest Mother of the church. Mother Erestine was affectionately loved by her church family at the International Church of Faith. Her pastors, Bishops Willie and Mary Woodard Barnes would often pull her out of her comfort zone by asking her to pray or participate in a portion of the service. Whatever she could do for the Lord, she was always willing and capable of doing it. Ernestine was loved by many in Winter Garden and in Tildenville. She was always so sweet, loving, and kind to everyone, and always willing to help anyone in need. She was loved by her family, friends, and neighbors, especially those with whom she enjoyed fellowship at the Senior Centers she attended regularly on Tuesdays at Mildred Dixon and on Thursdays at the Dream Center, where she was called a Queen. She loved doing her crossword puzzles and drinking her coffee in the morning. She also loved to dress well and go out with her Senior Sisters to thrift stores and out to eat. She was preceded in death by her son, Craig Brounson; daughters, Patricia Blanding and Lisa Blanding: brothers: Harry Jackson, Raymond Jackson, Emmanuel Jackson, Nathaniel Coleman, and Eddie Coleman; sister, Joanne Coleman. Ernestine leaves to mourn her loving children: her sons: Ronald Blanding and Eric Brounson; daughter, Lorraine Blanding; her grandchild, Johnny Ray Blanding; brother, Henry Colman; sister, Mary Lee Coleman sister-inlaw, Lena Ruth Jackson; loving and special cousins: Victoria Ranson, George Raiford, Jr. and Nathaniel Jackson; as well as a host of family, friends, and loving relatives.

Tributes

Ernestine M. Blanding

September 11, 1937 - November 7, 2025