Mrs. Ernestine Spruill passed away on Friday November 8, 2019.

Mother Ernestine R. Frazier Spruill's blessed and gracious life began on July 11, 1924, when she was born to the late Charlie Evander Frazier and Mamie Thompson Frazier in Gulf, NC. Her humble beginnings were the foundation for her life of service, love, and spiritual fortitude. The roots of her spiritual life were instilled at an early age in the A.M. E. Zion faith where she was introduced to the hat wearing tradition by her mother, who always wore hats. The Fraziers were people who promoted a life of service and loving kindness. Educated in a one-room schoolhouse, Ernestine excelled in poetry and mathematics. She was promoted two grade levels because of her ability to solve math problems. Not only did she excel in school, she also enjoyed playing basketball. On Dec. 1, 1940, the late John Edgar Spruill, Sr. married Ernestine. He was extremely in love with his wife and devoted the rest of his life to making her happy. As a couple, they epitomized young love and soon moved from Gulf to Greensboro, NC, where they joined the Small Street COGIC, which later became Wells Temple COGIC. As the youngest couple in the church, the Spruills took on many different roles and soon proved themselves to be an integral part of the ministry, as pastored by Bishop Wyoming Wells. During this time, Mother Spruill began to cultivate her hat collection and her love of wearing her crown slightly tilted to the side. At Wells Temple, she was a Sunday School Secretary, President of the church chapter of YPWW, Secretary for the Western North Carolina YPWW, Pastor's Aide Leader, and member of the Sewing Circle, Bible Band, and Mother of the Children's Church. Bishop Wells noticed the work and dedication of the couple and soon appointed Elder Spruill a trial appointment at the Church of God In Christ Church in Taylortown, NC (Pinehurst). The church loved and accepted the young family which had grown to include seven children. The church soon changed its name to Spruill's Temple. Elder Spruill was appointed to another church, Pemberton Temple COGIC in Hamlet, NC, and he became the Superintendent of the Laurinburg District of the Greater North Carolina Jurisdiction of COGIC. Mother Spruill relished her role as a leader, to foster the spiritual growth of her husband. Mother Spruill took care of the household and the children. This pact between them lasted for many years. Her love of service also evidenced itself in her life outside the church. She spent her early years as a nanny and housekeeper for various families in Greensboro. She found favor with one family and her employer told her she was too special to continue working in that capacity. She sent Mother Spruill to Greensboro College where they made her a manager of the College Soda Shop. Her love for helping people made her a memorable fixture at Greensboro College where she worked for over 25 years. "Ms. Tina" as she was called by the students and workers. Out of all the remarkable things of Mother Spruill, she considered herself to be a "hat lady" and wore hats on her head every time she left home. She believed that a hat is truly the mark of a cultured woman and it is a testament to the tutelage of her own mother and Mother Mary E. Wells, who encouraged the women of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) to wear hats, especially on Sundays. Many times she has been known to bestow the hat on her head to an admirer. Releasing her Crowns is the ultimate testament to the heart of Mother Spruill. Her acts of generosity, she believes, is part of the reason why the Lord had continued to bless her life with more hats and with favor in many circumstances.

It is the tenacity and the enduring strength of Mother Spruill that has made her iconic in her family, Greater North Carolina Jurisdiction COGIC, as well as other denominations, and the community. She has received numerous awards and honors in her professional career and in her service to the community, COGIC, and the Lord. The impact of her life was dynamic and far and wide. She was recently recognized by the national body of the COGIC for her service to the church and to the denomination. The unwavering faith of Mother Spruill was a major part of her personality and it flavored her outlook on life.

Mother Spruill was preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 71 years, Elder John Spruill, Sr; siblings, George Frazier (Mary); Thelma Moorehead (McKenley); children: Grace Spruill, Ernest Spruill, Thelma Robinson Burwell (Larry), Anthony Spruill, Michelle Moon (Ulysses), Thelvis Spruill, and adopted son Will Moorhead, all of Greensboro. Her children: John E. Spruill II, Edith Davis, Joyce Spruill, of Greensboro; Reginald Spruill (Hazel) of Burlington; special niece, Diane Brown (Joe), of Greensboro. Her grandchildren: Raquel Robinson, Ronald Robinson (Mary), Reginald Robinson, Palmer Lee Troutman Jr, Pamela Wright, Deana Rankin, Antwan Williams, Dannielle Spruill Davis (Alex), Anthony Spruill, all of Greensboro; Dale Robinson, Boston, MA; Ursula Robinson, Orangeburg, SC; John Spruill III (Sylvia) Atlanta, GA; Allison Spruill, Charlotte; and Keisha Raynor (Lavelle), Raleigh; plus numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, adopted children/grandchildren, and adopted spiritual sons and daughters.

A service honoring her life will be held at Evangel Fellowship Church of God; 2207 E. Cone Blvd. Greensboro, NC; on Friday November 15, 2019. The visitation will begin at 10:30am and the service will follow at 11:30am. The interment will take place at Macedonia AME Zion Church Cemetery, Gulf, NC.