WILMINGTON — Ernestine Mack Highsmith, affectionately known as “Stine” departed this earthly home at the blessed age of 94, on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at home surrounded by family.
Ernestine was born the third of seven children in Wilmington, NC on February 7, 1928, to the late Rev. James Mack and Mrs. Clara Lewis Mack. After graduating from Williston Industrial High School in 1945, she attended Winston Salem State University before returning to her hometown of Wilmington. While working faithfully at the Timme Corporation for almost 20 years, she juggled responsibilities as a dedicated wife to the late Samuel Washington Highsmith and mother of her three beloved children: Julia Mack Timberlake, Sandra Highsmith Drawhorn, and Samuel James Highsmith.
After the graduation of her youngest from college, Ernestine made the decision to become a full-time homemaker and took pride in creating a loving atmosphere of hospitality to all. Anyone who crossed her path knows that she would give you the shirt off of her back. She was known for sending cards and never missed the chance to share a word of comfort, thanks or love. Stine was truly a beautiful soul in every sense of the word and lived out the words of wisdom she’s told to every ear that would listen, “It’s not about how you look on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. That is where your true beauty comes from.” It also didn’t hurt that she had a great sense of style and a top-notch collection of tams.
She was extremely talented as a seamstress and handicraft maker. For example: Easter outfits, curtains, upholstery, pillows, and quilts. You can’t envision Ernestine Highsmith without thinking of the delicious meals, fried fish, clam fritters, cinnamon raisin buns, pineapple cakes, and banana pudding just to name a few. Whatever she cooked it was sure to draw a crowd. She had a love for dance, from her time at St. Thomas Catholic School through her high school and college years and eventually went viral as the Dancing Grandma, celebrating her grandson being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ernestine began her Christian journey at Saint Stephens AME Church until she was married and became a member of Mount Olive AME Church. There she served as a member of Senior Choir #1 and the Carolyn Sanders Dance Company. Ernestine performed as the oldest liturgical member of the company throughout her eighties. As a woman of unwavering faith, she lived a lifestyle of devotion and prayer. One of the verses you could always hear Ernestine recalling is Hebrews 13:5 which says, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”
After moving to Wilson, NC, Ernestine became an integral part of New Dimensions Community Church where everyone knew her as ‘Mother Highsmith’. As long as her health allowed, she was an avid bible study student, and she was a faithful intercessor on the weekly Eagle’s Wings Prayer Call. Ernestine never missed an opportunity to instill the love of God in her family and community. These lessons are the greatest legacy gifts she left behind. God’s grace allowed her to witness the fruits of her labor.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings: Annie Ward, Clara Vereen, Samuel Mack, and George Mack.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children, Julia Mack Timberlake of Durham, NC, Sandra Highsmith Drawhorn (George) of Wilson, NC, and Samuel James Highsmith (Pam) of Wilmington, NC; siblings, Elizabeth Mack Upperman of Neptune, NJ and James Mack of Wilson, NC; her beloved grandchildren, Tasha Timberlake Hinton (Daryl), Richard D. Timberlake III, Jocelyn S. Drawhorn, Samuel Alexander Highsmith (fiance, Alyssa Ungrady) and Lauryn J. Highsmith (fiance, Elliott Millner); great-grandchildren, Daryl Andrew Hinton and Raymond Carter Hinton; special niece, Patricia Lewis and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Although she has three biological children, she is Mama Stine to many and Grandma to others.
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https://my.gather.app/remember/ernestine-m-highsmith
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