Ernestine Carlton

In Loving Memory of Ernestine Shiver Carlton

June 25, 1941 - October 21, 2025

Ernestine Shiver Carlton, age 84, of Perry, Florida, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 21, 2025. Her life was one of hard work, faith, and boundless generosity-a life that touched countless hearts and left a legacy of love stitched into every memory.

Ernestine was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Joe Carlton; her parents, Walter and Pearl Shiver; and her siblings Margie Horton, Earlene Koslowski, Earl Shiver, Dorothy Jolley, Frances Page, Franklin Shiver, and Bobby Shiver.

She is survived by her children, Denise (Walt) McGuire, Joey (Amy) Carlton, Sandy (Mike) Hunter, and Lisa Carlton; her twin sister, Christine Hill; grandchildren, Shannon McGuire, Shawn McGuire, Adam (Kim) Carlton, Kris (Tina) Hunter, Robert (Mindy) Hunter, and Jennifer (Cody) Holden; as well as many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family who adored her.

Born on June 25, 1941, at the old home place of Marvin Brannen, Ernestine was the eighth of nine children born to Walter and Pearl (Woodcock) Shiver. She was one of three sets of twins in the family, with her twin sister being, Christine Hill.

Ernestine grew up in humble beginnings in a one-room log cabin near the Fenholloway River, close to what is now the Spring Creek Management Area. Life in those days was simple and full of character-pitcher pumps, wood stoves, Model A automobiles and flying jennys were part of her daily world. The cabin was divided by cardboard, the boys on one side and the girls on the other, all sleeping together on moss-filled mattresses. She often laughed as she recalled seeing chickens beneath the floorboards or her mother lighting an old pair of jeans to fog the house for mosquitoes.

Her father, a fishing guide, and her mother, a homemaker for many years, raised their large family on what they could afford which was lima beans, rice and biscuits. There was honey for the biscuits from the bees they raised and once in a while when someone in the family had a birthday, there was fried chicken. At around age 12, after her sister Margie shared her new-found faith, Ernestine gave her heart to the Lord and began attending the Church of God, a foundation that would guide her throughout her life. She was baptized at the old Folsom Park.

Ernestine attended the old school that burned down near what is now the Catherine Norman field and she later went to school at the old rock building, barefoot until the 3rd grade and always wearing clothes her mother made from feed sacks. She was bright, athletic, and played on her high school basketball team until deciding to marry and begin her life's greatest adventure-as a wife and mother.

At just 15 years old, Ernestine married Joe Carlton and they raised 4 children. She later finished her education and began her working career after her last child was in school. She started as the "milkshake lady" at the high school, later became the lunchroom manager, and then joined Tom's Potato Chip Plant in 1983. Two years later, she began working for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier-a job she truly loved and held until her retirement on November 30, 2006. She also helped charter the Taylor Adult SNAP Program, where life skills were taught to adults with disabilities-a testament to her compassion and giving spirit.

Ernestine's home was the heart of her family. Her children woke up every morning to the smell of breakfast-grits, eggs, bacon or sausage-and there were always three full meals a day prepared in her kitchen. It was rare for her table not to have an extra plate set for a neighbor, friend, or anyone in need.

Sewing and mowing were her therapy, and her hands were never idle. Ernestine made beautiful quilts for every member of her family, each one unique and stitched with love. She found joy in tending her garden, planting fruit trees, canning vegetables, and arranging bouquets filled with all kinds of flowers from her yard, especially dahlias-which were her favorite. She absolutely loved to share whatever she had. She shared vegetables from her garden, jelly from her fruit trees, mullet from the net boat, and even sausage from the smokehouse. She loved her chickens and gathering the eggs every day. She was still chasing those pesky squirrels with her trusty rifle-well into her eighties!

Even as the years went by, Ernestine stayed active and full of life. Her mornings often began at Hardee's, enjoying breakfast and conversation, followed by trips to the Senior Center to play bingo and share laughs with her dear friends, Rene Williams and Joan Norris. She loved visiting the fabric store, delivering her latest quilt, or choosing fabric for the next one-always thinking of the next gift she could make for someone she loved.

Ernestine lived a beautiful, giving life filled with faith, love, and purpose. She found joy in simple things-family gathered around the table, the hum of a sewing machine, a basket of freshly picked vegetables, or the laughter of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her heart and home were always open, and her love will continue to live on through the many lives she touched.

Though she has gone to her eternal home, Ernestine's warmth, wisdom, and spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her. She made the world a better place by the way she loved.

A celebration of Ernestine's life will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 11:oo at Joe P. Burns Funeral Home with Bro. Sammy Bass officiating. A visitation will be held also on Friday beginning one hour prior to the service. An interment service will follow immediately after in Carlton Cemetery.

Friends may sign the online guest book at joepburnsfuneralhomes.com.

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