Ernestine Wilson Stanley

Ernestine Wilson Stanley, 85, crossed over and into the Heavenly love of her God, where her recently departed husband, Ray Stanley, joyfully awaited her arrival. At his side, were Ernestine's ten brothers and sisters, her beloved parents (Richard Edison and Bertha Hopkins Wilson) close relatives, and many friends. It was a beautiful and happy reunion. Ernestine was born on April 29, 1939, in the tiny Appalachian hamlet, Fourmile, Kentucky, located in Bell County, Kentucky. She was the youngest of eleven children, and grew up, playing in the barns, creeks, and fields of rural Kentucky. She always recalled her youth with a smile on her face and happiness in her voice. The beneficiary of a brilliant mind, Ernestine, was referred to as "Brainy," by her friends, a description that evolved into a nickname by the time she attended Bell County High School. During her high school years, she fell in love with Ray Stanley, who was a year her senior. Upon his graduation, Ray enlisted in the United States Air Force, but the two had a plan to marry upon her graduation, and they each kept that promise. It's vitally important to tell Ernestine's Story in concert with Ray and her family's story, because nothing was more important to her. Ernestine joined Ray, on Christmas, 1958, the day of their marriage, and they began a lifetime of adventure together. After Air Force service in North Carolina, they decided to leave active duty, and accept an opportunity with General Dynamics, in Fort Worth, Tx. While there, Ernestine gave birth to the first of three children, Barbara Lynn (Stanley) Whitaker. Soon thereafter, the couple again pursued opportunity and moved to Tullahoma, Tn, where Ray began work at Arnold Engineering Development Corporation. While living in Tullahoma, Ernestine gave birth to Susan Dawn Stanley and Dr. David Ray Stanley. The family lived, worked, and greatly enjoyed the life offered by the small town, in south central Tennessee. Those who knew her best, will recall that Ernestine built a very successful baseball card company, Ernie's Baseball Cards, and she ran it together with her lifelong sidekick, Ray. The two also built and ran a painting enterprise and used the proceeds from both companies to support the education of their children, travel, and live a successful American lifestyle. She was very proud of the fact that she visited all 50 states, the majority of European nations, and nearly every continent. In addition to her travel, she possessed a world renowned ability to cook extraordinary meals, a propensity to be a voracious reader, and carried a broad knowledge of nearly everything. Other than these things, and her love for long and winding discussions about intellectually interesting topics, Ernestine had one other great love her children, her nieces and nephews, grand babies and great grand babies. She loved to hold them, talk to them, play with them, and be present in their lives. She kept in constant contact with them, because she made interaction with them a lifelong imperative. They felt the same way and returned the love! They recall a youthful grandmother who accompanied them to Disney, camping in the Smokies, and was up for any adventure. Tullahoma and the lives of so many are reduced by her departure. In addition to her parents, Ernestine was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Stanley; and 10 brothers and sisters. She is survived by two daughters, Barbara Stanley Whitaker and her husband Richard, and Susan Stanley; one son, Dr. David Stanley and his wife Lisa; six grandchildren, Kimberlyn (Travis) Nagy, Lauren (Joe) Lowe, Jack (Catherine) Whitaker, Sophie Stanley, Ava Stanley, and Beck Stanley; and seven great-grandchildren, Kensley, Lily, Connor, Chase, Easton, Amelia, and Jody. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024 at Kilgore Funeral Home from 1:00-2:00pm with the funeral to follow at 2:00pm with Bro. Andy Stallings officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Coffee County Lannom Library, 312 North Collins Street, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388.