Ernestine Elizabeth Stephens, 90 years old, departed this life on March 20, 2017. She was born March 10, 1927 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to the late Robert Johns and Willie Mae Johns. Ernestine was preceded in death by her husband; Otis Stephens, sister; Ora Ford, brother; Eugene Johns, sister in law; Marie Bailey, brother in law George Stephens and nephew; Gerald Ray. Ernestine worked as a nurse for 35 years caring for the elderly. She married Otis Stephens on January 6, 1951 and they shared 64 years together before his passing in 2015. Ernestine leaves to cherish her memories, children: James Otis Stephens (Janet) of Kernersville, NC, Mark Stephens of Cleveland, OH, Patricia Johnson of Cleveland, OH and Linda Jones of Greensboro, NC, brother; Robert Johns of Akron, OH. Also, grandchildren: Jimmy Stephens of Greensboro, NC, Monica Stephens of Jacksonville, FL, Stephen Johnson (Stephanie) of Cleveland, OH, Lisa Johnson of Cleveland, OH and Jonathan Jones of Greensboro, NC; great grandchildren: Trevon Stephens of Cleveland, OH, Kayla Stephens of Greensboro, NC, Shinobi Johnson of Cleveland, OH and Aubrey Brown of Cleveland, OH; nieces: Carlene Torain (Earl) of Cleveland, OH, Detra Curly (Joe) of Akron, OH, Diane Johns of Akron, OH, Willie Mae Bolden (Terry) of Mississippi, Louise Stirgis of Mississippi, Betty Davis of Mississippi, Gloria Williams of Mississippi, Donna Long of Mississippi and Sandra Millican of Sugarland, Texas; nephews: Bobby Johns of California, Perry Ford of Mississippi, Larry Ford of Mississippi, Wayne Ford of Mississippi and Keith Gray (Janet) of Detroit, Michigan; great nephews: Malcom Torain (Tehra) of Cleveland, OH and Omar Torain (Latress) of Cleveland, OH; cousins: Beverly Stephens of Cleveland, OH and Elaine Stephens of Cleveland. Special thanks to: Jim Wilson, Linda Hammill and Lori Doherty of Browns Summit, NC for being such loving and caring neighbors to our mother.A service honoring her life will be held at Sharpe Road Church of Christ; 2400 Sharpe Road, Greensboro, NC 27406 on Tuesday, March 28, 2017. The visitation will begin at 10:00am and the service will follow at 10:30am. The interment will take place following the service at Salisbury National Cemetery; 202 Government Rd, Salisbury, NC 28144 at 1pm.