Mrs. Ernestine Painter France, age 73, Jonesborough, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at her residence.
Mrs. France was born in Washington County and the daughter of the late Clarence R. & Nannie Ruth Hunt Painter. She was also preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Howard Painter and John Wesley Thompson
She attended Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church as a child and joined Marvin’s Chapel United Methodist Church in 1965, where she taught Sunday school for many years and was a member of the United Methodist Women.
Mrs. France was a 1967 graduate of ETSU and a School Teacher for the Washington County School System from 1967-2007.
Survivors include her husband, Jim France, Jonesborough; one son, John David France, Jonesborough; grandson, John David France, Jr., Kingsport; granddaughter, Madeline Paige France, Asheville, NC; two sisters, JoAnn Painter and Reba Thompson, both of Chuckey; and a brother-in-law, Wayne France (Jean), Jonesborough.
The family will receive friends from 3:00-6:00 pm Friday, March 1, 2019 and from 2:30-3:30 Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home
Funeral services will be conducted 3:30 pm Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home with Rev. Joel Cook and Rev. Rick Clowers officiating. Interment services will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Allen Painter, Jonathan Painter, Steven Painter, Kevin Thompson, Danny Mathes and Robert Broyles. Honorary pallbearers will be Men of Marvin’s Chapel United Methodist Church.
Memorial donations may be made to Marvin’s Chapel United Methodist Church 1882 Old Boones Creek Rd. Johnson City, TN 37615.
Earnestine showed everyone how to deal with hardship with
great faith and grace. A true genteel lady.
A very kind and sweet lady. Heaven has another
Angel now. To the family I am so sorry for your
loss.
Sincerely,
03/01/2019
Walter and Pat Trotter
Jim, Our most sincere sympathies are sent to you and your
family today. We pray that you will receive the comfort that
only God can provide.
03/01/2019
Betty Jo Dempsey
I enjoyed teaching with Ernestine at JES. She was
a lovely lady and wonderful mentor teacher to me.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Betty Jo Dempsey
03/01/2019
Betty Jo Dempsey
I enjoyed teaching with Ernestine at JES. She was
a lovely lady and wonderful mentor teacher to me.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Betty Jo Dempsey
02/28/2019
Grayson and Ann Austin
Grayson and I are so sorry for your loss. We will be many
miles away but will come back anytime there is a need. God
bless all of you. Cancer is a horrific thing to live and deal wit.
She has her wings now. May all of you rest and heal.
Love Grayson and Ann.
Mrs France was one of the best teachers that my daughter
had. She was 6 years old with high anxiety especially going to
school. Ms. France was so caring and would love on Kassie
every time she had anxiety. I probably would have pulled her
out of school if it was not for Ms. France. She never forgot
Kassie either hugging her every time she seen Kassie. Even
when Kassie was in high school she would hug her. I want her
loved ones to know that she made a great impact in my .
daughters life. I truly think God chose to put my daughter in
her class and God used her to deal with Kassies anxiety in a
very very loving way. It broke our hearts to see she had
passed. I pray that God will comfort her family through this
valley. She will be missed greatly .
TO THE FRANCE FAMILY IM VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT ERNESTINE HAS PASSED AWAY, SHE WAS A VERY NICE LADY AND ALWAYS VERY NICE TO ME, AGAIN MY CONDOLANCES TO ALL OF YOU IN THE FRANCE FAMILY, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
02/28/2019
David and Pam Deakins
Jim, so sorry to ear the passing of Earnestine:( it’s been awhile
since we have seen you all but you know if you need anything
just let us know!! David will try and see you soon or come see
us !!
02/28/2019
David and Pam Deakins
Jim, so sorry to ear the passing of Earnestine:( it’s been awhile
since we have seen you all but you know if you need anything
just let us know!! David will try and see you soon or come see
us !!
My deepest condolences to the France family.
Ernestine was a kind and loving person who touched
the lives of many. She will be greatly missed.
02/28/2019
Lynice Broyles
Dear Jim and Family, there are no words that
express the deep love I have for Earnestine and
want you to know that my love and prayers will be
with each of you during the coming days. We have
much to celebrate when we think of Earnestine's
life and how she cared for so many people in her
quiet manner that many didn't know she had done
it. Our church family will certainly feel a real
empty spot in so many ways - Sunday School,
Choir, UMW, caring for the sick and just her
Christian witness to so many. May God be with
you in the coming days and cherish your wonderful
memories and life together.
Love you
Lynice Broyles
02/28/2019
Becky Kyker & Takoda Turbyfill
So very sorry to hear of your moms passing. (Uncle Dave) we
love you. Becky & Takoda
02/28/2019
Susie Gillis Bennett
So sorry, sending love and prayers to you all.
Brooke so sorry for your loss. I will be thinking
and praying for you and your family, God Bless.
02/27/2019
Beth (Dickens) Link
Some of my earliest memories of falling in love with books can
be attributed to the wonderful Mrs. France. She introduced me
to Eric Carle and Stellaluna, we made butter and visited a
farm, one of our stations was COMPUTER. (Haha, that last
one means absolutely nothing to this current generation.)
As my 1st grade teacher (in 1994-1995), I wasn’t quite aware
of the impact she was making, but as an adult, specifically as
a teacher, I see the footprints she left on my teacher heart.
Many of the stories I choose for my class that are from my
youth were stories Ms. France read to us. Her legacy will live
on through her former students more than she ever could have
imagined.
Ernestine was a thoughtful, dedicated and conscientious Christian lady whom was always worried about others well being over herself. She taught Sunday School to countless children over many years and there was no one any more prepared to bring the stories of the Bible to life. She will be greatly missed and our prayers are for the whole family.
02/27/2019
Shirley Palmer
So sorry to hear . Thinking of all of you during this time. God
Bless
Jameson so sorry for your loss, your family will be
in my prayers.
