Earnestine Keaton

1954 - 2025

Mother Earnestine Howard Keaton was born on March 21, 1954, in Wacissa, Florida, to the late Lillie Mae Miller and the late Sam Howard Sr. She peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 23, 2025. Public viewing will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 4-6PM at Hagan Funeral Service, 175 North Railroad Street, Monticello, Fl 32344 (850) 997-1300. 
Funeral services will take place on Saturday, November 1, 2025, 10AM at Union Hill AME Church in Wacissa, FL with interment at Bethpage Cemetery.  Those wishing to share resolutions may email them to Hbfuneral@embarqmail.com.
In 1971, Mother Earnestine confessed Christ under the leadership of Rev. Ware at Union Hill AME Church. She was a devoted member of Choir #1 and served faithfully in the Missionary Women's Society, always willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed.
A proud graduate of the Jefferson County High School Class of 1972, she went on to attend Florida A&M University, where she earned a degree in Social Work. She also studied small business at Florida State University. Throughout her life, she wore many hats: co-owner of Keaton Tire Repair, social worker at Jefferson Nursing Center, educator at Jefferson County Adult School, assistant teacher at Apalachee Mental Health, and elder care provider with Elder Care Services. Since 2014, she served as a Senior Companion, a role that reflected her deep love and compassion for the elderly. Her dedication to the Jefferson Senior Citizens Center was a testament to her unwavering commitment to service.
She leaves to cherish her love and legacy her sons: Rev. Sam (Demethra) Jenkins Jr. of Tallahassee, FL; Edwin (Diane) Keaton and Travis Keaton, both of Monticello, FL; her daughter, Sandra Jenkins Walker of Tallahassee, FL; and her adopted daughter, Shekote Jones. She is also survived by her sisters, Lorene Howard of Wacissa, FL, and Katherine (Robert) Jenkins of Palatka, FL; her brothers, Norris (Mary Alice) Howard and Patrick Howard, both of Monticello, FL, and Leonard Howard of Daytona, FL. She was a proud grandmother to twenty-one grandchildren and a loving great-grandmother to nineteen great-grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, clients, and cherished friends. Her extended family includes her godbrother, Robert Kirksey; her godsisters, Terry Williams Dean of Monticello, FL, and Dollene Williams of Gretna, FL; and her godmother, Mary Betty Conner of Monticello, FL. Special thanks are extended to her devoted caregivers: Sandra Walker, Amya Keaton, and LeDeidra Jenkins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Lillie Mae Miller and Sam Howard Sr.; her brothers, Sam Howard Jr. and Steven Howard; and her grandparents, Essie Mae James, Isaac James, and Reatha Sutton.