Earnestine (Bonds) Walker

Mary Earnestine Bonds Walker

Mary Earnestine Bonds was born October 3, 1934 to Henry Bonds Jr. and Wilma Smith Bonds in Orisa, TN. Henry and Wilma welcomed 5 children of which Mary was the oldest. Her father Henry was blessed with two more children. She attended Palmer Turner school district in Henning, TN. They lived a simple life of sharecropping and farming. As a child Mary loved cooking, reading and helping to care for the family. She was named after her grandmother and so were many of her cousins. She started going by her middle name Earnestine.

She met and fell in love with Jesse Roy Walker and married him on March 10, 1951. When she met Jesse he had a 3 year old daughter that she loved as her own. Their marriage was blessed with 8 children. In 1958 they moved their family to Milwaukee, WI to be closer to her mother. Earnestine was mainly a homemaker but did have various businesses with her husband. The one that stands out is "Walkers Food Store" on the corner of 28th and North Ave. Earnestine loved to cook, bake and sing. She was a wonderful storyteller. She made sure that her children knew as much family history as she did. She loved to dress up and look like the Queen she was. 

She always had a love for God. She kept seeking him until she found him. At the age of 71 she dedicated her life to her heavenly Father Jehovah as one of his witnesses. She told him that she always knew and loved him but never knew his name. She was faithful in her ministry. When time came and her health fell and she wasn't able to get out in the ministry like before, she would witness to her doctors or anyone who came to her door. She was a faithful dedicated servant to the end. 

Earnestine fell asleep in death on October 22, 2020 due to this horrible virus called Coronavirus-19.

Earnestine is resting with her husband Jesse Sr. (2000), son Larry Sr. (1983), her parents Henry (1985), Wilma (2008). Her sister E. Anna (2002), brother Joe Earl (2007). Her granddaughter Jordan (2009), her grandsons, Shaun (1999), Romero (2007), great grandson Damion (2013), nephew Reginald (2008), daughters-in-law Bobbie Jo (1999), Theresa (2003), son-in-law Michael (2017). Sisters-in-law Flossie (2010), LeBerton (2008), Castelle (2001), brothers-in law James (2005), John (2017).

Earnestine was loved by her children Peggy, Oscar Sr., Vanessa, Anglus Sr., Wanda, Jesse Jr., Shonya (Eric) and Tammy. Her grandchildren Emmitt, Cassandra, Larry Jr., Sheryl, Lamont, Lavelle, Leon, Julia, Oscar Jr., Nedra, Dedra, Mollie, Hollie, Nessah, Michael II, Anthony, Joseph, Kenneth, Israel, Darryl, Melinda, Tamika, Angie, Dominique, Anglus Jr., D'Angelo, Mary, Antwann, Nicholas, Corey, Melissa, Derrick, Alex, Brittany, Jesse III, Lance, Jasmine, Janaya, Mya, John, Jayla and Erika. Her sisters Alma (John), Kaye (Anthony), brothers W.D. (Vesta) and Alan (Verlesha). She has the love of her many great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many other family and friends. 

Public visitation will be held for Earnestine on Thursday, October 29, 2020, from 11:00am until 1:00pm, all at Jelacic Funeral Home, 5639 West Hampton Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53218. Because of government requirements, masks and social distancing will be required. Immediately following the visitation, burial will take place next to her husband at Graceland Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 

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