Earnestine Kennedy Means

“How sweet it is at evening after a long and well spent day, to close the eyes in slumber, and rest from the toils of the day.”On July 31, 2002, God looked over his beautiful flower garden and plucked one of his most colorful flower, Earnestine Olive Kennedy Means. An angel was dispatched to her, who spoke softly saying, “Come unto me and I will give you eternal rest” She accepted the call and rose to a higher realm to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.“Somewhere there is no sunset, somewhere, it’s always down,Somewhere no clouds obscure the blue; somewhere each shadow hasgone!Somewhere there is no parting, sorrow, tears or pain, And thereour loved one waits the day when we will meet again.”Earnestine Olivia Kennedy Means, the tenth child of the late Henry Kennedy and Hettie Dickey Kennedy was born on September 1, 1921 in Sumter, South Carolina, and at an early age moved to Hopewell, Virginia.Earnestine was educated in the public schools of Hopewell, Virginia, but was unable to complete high school because a need to help provide support for the family.Upon reaching adulthood, Earnestine moved to Baltimore, Maryland, and encouraged her youngest sister, Mary Spratley to join her. It was in Baltimore, while residing with her sister and two nieces, the Earnestine decided to return to school and receive her high school diploma from Frederick Douglas Night School. Earnestine also continued her studies as a student at Baltimore Junior College, Morgan State and Peabody Preparatory.Earnestine began her Christian journey at an early age in Hopewell, Virginia where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. After moving to Baltimore, she joined Whitestone Baptist Church, where she remained a devoted member for forty-five years. She was a one-time member of the Missionary Society, Silver Leaf Circle, Willing Workers, and the William Howard Society. Earnestine also attended Sunday School, Prayer Meeting, and Baptist Training Union on a regular basis.Earnestine was a devoted member of Whitestone who loved the Lord first and her pastor next. There was never a holiday or special occasion that a gift, or thoughtful deed or word of encouragement was not given to the pastor and/or his wife.Earnestine, affectionately called “aunt Nean”, leaves to cherish her memory: one sister, Annie Mae Brisco, three custodial nieces, Carol Gamble, Gretchel Sprately, and Saundra Sprately-Adams, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.Thank YouPerhaps you sang a lovely song, or sat quietly in a chairPerhaps you sent beautiful flowers, if so we saw them there;Perhaps you sent or spoke kind words, as any friend could sayPerhaps you were not there at all, just thought of us that day’Perhaps you prepared some tasty food, or maybe furnished a carPerhaps you rendered a service unseen, near at hand or from afar;Whatever you did to console the heart,We thank you so much whatever the part!Sincerely,The Family

Tributes

Earnestine Kennedy Means

September 1, 1922 - July 31, 2002