Ernestine Smith Stephenson, 83, died Monday, October 3, 2011 at Halifax Regional Medical Center. She was a life-long member of Rosemary Baptist Church. She was retired from the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District as a teacher’s assistant and is fondly remembered by many former students.

She was preceded in death by her husband William T. “Billy” Stephenson, Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Harriet S. Pittman and son-in-law, Elbert, of Davis, NC; her son, W. Turner Stephenson, III and daughter-in-law, Leigh, of Roanoke Rapids; four grandchildren, whom she adored, Wayne Pittman, William Alvin Pittman and his wife, Krystal, Blair Stephenson and Hunter Stephenson; one great-granddaughter, Chloe Dickinson; her brother, Tommy Smith of Lake Gaston; brother-in-law Swain Stephenson and his wife, Jane; and many close friends, including Rookie Harris and Sibyl Thornell.

The family will receive friends at Askew Funeral & Cremation Services, 731 Roanoke Ave., Roanoke Rapids, NC on Saturday, October 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Graveside services will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Cedarwood Cemetery with Rev. Sue Owens officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.