Ernestine Hilliard
Ernestine Hilliard, 77, surrendered her life to the Lord on Nov. 12, 2005.
She was born Nov. 27, 1927, the daughter of Jessie Ben and India (Casey) Cook.
She was a former cook and restorative physical assistant. Ernestine worked for Peabody Memorial Nursing Home for more than 25 years.
She held membership and served as first vice president of the mission at Second Baptist Church, Newton.
Ernestine was a devoted Christian, mother, and grandmother.
Survivors include eight sons, Harold Cook, James Hilliard IV, and Rudy Hilliard, all of Lawrence, Terry Cook of Kansas City, Mo., Keith Hilliard and Dale Hilliard of Wichita, Glen Mitchell of Anderson, N.C., and Gary Hilliard of Peabody; four daughters, Sandra (Cook) Hardin of Peabody, Nicki (Hilliard) Carter of Hobbs, N.M., and Rhonda (Hilliard) Smith and Tina (Hilliard) Mitchell, both of Lawrence; one sister, Zerah Ervin of Jacksonville, Ark.; 37 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother, India Cook; father, Jessie Ben Cook; six brothers, Matthew Cook, Elbert Ferguson, Isaiah Cook, Jessie Ben Cook, Ira Cook, and James Cook; husband, James Hilliard Jr.; and son, Kevin Hilliard.
Visitation was held Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friends may also visit Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Family will greet friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Shalom Mennonite Church, 801 East 1st Street, Newton, with the Rev. Dr. Leonard F. Gray, former pastor of Second Baptist Church presiding.
Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the James and Ernestine Hilliard Scholarship Fund with Second Baptist Church, in care of Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 East Broadway, Newton 67114.
— paid obituary
