Ernestine C Smith

Ernestine Cordelia Smith, daughter of the late Preston and
Fannie Winkler, was born on September 27, 1937, in Baltimore,
Maryland. Ernestine was baptized at an early age at Faith Baptist
Church, and later became a member of Israel Baptist Church. She
departed this life on July 28, 2020, after a brief illness.
Ernestine was one of eleven children born to Preston and Fannie
Winkler. She loved her brothers and sisters, Edward Winkler, William
Winkler, Charles Winkler, Paul Winkler, Morton Winkler, and Geraldine
Cutler, who preceded her in death; Worthington Winkler, Roy Winkler,
Reverend Preston Harold Winkler, and Gloria Francetta Stern. She
spoke fondly of caring for her siblings when she was younger, and
always praised their accomplishments throughout their lives.
Ernestine received her formal education in the Baltimore City Public
School System, graduating from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in
1953. In 1954, she married Wallace DeShazo, and from this union
came Andre, Wayne (who preceded her in death), and Joanne. She was
caring to all people, so there is no surprise her occupation was in
health care. She learned and was trained in the field of Health Care
while working in the delivery room of Greater Baltimore Medical
Center. Ernestine later met and married Ulysses Smith Jr. with his
daughter Carla Smith. From this union came Ulysses “Pete” and Eric.
Later she became a nurse’s assistant at Long Green Nursing Center,
where she after many years of service, retired. Not long after retiring
from Long Green Nursing Center she started in-home care for the
elderly, until she retired after she was diagnosed and defeated breast
cancer.
Ernestine loved being around family, especially spending time with her
grandchildren. Known for her funny and quick wit, Ernestine always
told it like it was, usually making those around her smile. You could
often find her listening to her “oldie but goodie music”, watching her
stories, or listening to the word of the Lord on her favorite televised
church service channel. She was a loving person of great strength, who
was easy to get along with, and everybody loved being around. She
never stopped learning and was continuously looking for ways to
challenge her mind.
Surviving to cherish her memories are five children, Andre DeShazo,
Joanne Jeffries, Carla Smith, Ulysses Smith Jr., and Eric Smith;
daughters-in-law, Karen DeShazo and Karen Smith; son-in-law, Walter
Jeffries; brothers, Worthington Winkler, Roy Winkler, and Reverend
Preston Harold Winkler; sister, Gloria Francetta Stern; sisters-in-law,
Vernelle, Shirley, Joyce, and Eloise Winkler; grandchildren, David
Martin, KiCher DeShazo, Kelly DeShazo, Katerra Jeffries, Andre
DeShazo, Trei Hillary, Walter Jeffries, Chénira Smith, Capria Smith,
and Ulysses Smith IV; 14 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews,
cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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