ERNESTINE CROSBY

Ernestine Gandy Crosby was a wise, strong, fun loving , quick witted, loyal wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, aunt and friend . She was also known as, “Mama, Gram, Granny, Steen, Aunt Snook, Ernie and Queen “E”  to all of her family, extended family, friends and others that had the wonderful opportunity of being part of her blessed journey on this earth.

Ernestine was the seventh of eleven children born to Ellis and Rosa (Laster) Gandy in Bessemer, Alabama on May 21, 1929. She was their “unique” child that would say whatever she needed to say no matter the consequences.  Her parents knew that she was no “ordinary” child, but was someone that was willing to stand for what she believed and wouldn’t back down to anyone.  This proved to be true throughout her life to all that knew her.   She would often say, “ Can’t nobody tell me what to do”, and “ain’t nobody big and bad enough on this earth to stop me from doing what I want”.

Ernestine was united in marriage to Dennis Crosby on June 7, 1947 in Evergreen, Alabama and they eventually relocated to Akron, Ohio where they raised their eight children: Barbara Annette Crosby, Dennis Ellis Crosby, Joyce Marie Crosby, Earl Lavon Crosby, Brenda Louise Crosby, Marvin Anthony Crosby, twins Jerome Edward Crosby and last, but certainly not the least, the baby, Jacqueline Denise Crosby.

She was a God-fearing woman, a devoted member of Wesley Temple A.M.E. Zion Church and later Arlington Church of God in Christ, both located in Akron, Ohio prior to relocating to her final residence in Tucson, Arizona under the care of her daughter Brenda Crosby Evans. 

Ernestine Crosby went on to live a long and fulfilling life as she made it her mission to treat everybody with love and respect without regard to skin color, religion or personal circumstances. She was always a “listening” ear for anyone that needed to talk and provided practical counsel for those that needed advice.  She served on various boards and committees in her community, and loved working with all children.

Her belief was that everybody is somebody and God created us all with purpose.  Ernestine Gandy Crosby as the matriarch of our family, lived and left a legacy of love, loyalty, dignity, honor and self-respect on all of our hearts and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by husband,  Dennis Crosby; sons, Jerome ,Earl and Marvin; grandson, Steven Crosby and great-granddaughter, Kiara Herbert.  

Our beloved matriarch is survived by her remaining children and their spouses; Barbara Crosby Rodgers ( Arthur), Dennis Crosby (Catherine), Joyce Baker, Brenda Crosby Evans (Ronald), Jackie Crosby and (significant other Frank Cook Sr.). Grandchildren,Tamara Rodgers Jones (Marcus), Michael Earl Davis, Tremaine Rodgers (Monique), Ayanna Crosby Brown (Keith), Dewan Ray, Kendra Livingston Jiles (Preston), Arthur Rodgers Jr.(Thecia), Darrell Meadows, Erin Crosby, Ashley Harris, Frank Cook Jr., Dennis St. John Crosby and extended family member, Charlesa  Hahn. She is also survived by a host of great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and relatives who were likened to her as her very own children.

Regardless of whom she was to you, Ernestine will always be remembered as a faithful servant of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“The Last Queen of The Evergreens”

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