Funeral services for Ernestine FreemanNorton will be held at First United Methodist Church in Brookhavenon Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at 2 p.m. with graveside services tofollow at New Hope Methodist Church on Highway 550.

    Visitation will be held on Monday from 5 until 8 p.m. in the familyparlor at First United Methodist Church. Brookhaven Funeral Home isin charge of arrangements.

    Ernestine was 89 years old when she passed away peacefully in theloving arms of her Heavenly Father on June 25, 2011. She was bornin Richton on Oct. 17, 1921. Her family moved to Caseyville and shewas baptized at Philadelphia Baptist Church. As a teenager, sheformed the first youth Sunday school class there. She graduatedfrom Loyd Star High School, where she met and married her husbandof 60 years, Ernest E. Norton Sr.

    Her family moved to Brookhaven and joined First United MethodistChurch, where she was a faithful and devoted member for 68 years.She taught various Sunday school classes, was a former president ofthe Friendship Class and a longtime member of the WSCS LadiesCircle.

    She was a former member and president of the Brookhaven JuniorAuxiliary and member and former president of the Climbers Club. Sheserved on the board of the Willing Hearts Circle of King’sDaughters for many years.

    Ernestine was the founder of the former Brookwood Gifts andAntiques in 1972 and managed the business with her husband for 21years. She made and marketed ladies’ hats for several years duringtheir popularity. She was a floral designer, interior decorator andan antique appraiser. Her favorite pastime was painting in oils andwatercolors. She also loved to play bridge and rumicube with herfriends.

    Preceding her in death was her beloved husband; her parents,Johnson William Freeman and Lydia Stinson Freeman; and her brother,Paul Freeman.

    She is survived by her children, Sandra Norton, of Vermont, JackNorton, of Georgia, and Ed Norton, of Brookhaven. She is alsosurvived by her grandchildren, Stephanie Norton and Chase Norton,of Georgia, and Trey Norton and Susan Norton, of Brookhaven. Othersurvivors are her sisters Benny Sue Roland, Marcaline Temple andBernadine McManus.

    Gratitude is extended on behalf of her family for the loving careprovided by her primary caregivers Cathy, Beverly, Janet, Marilynand Debra, and to the many cards and visits of encouragement fromher many friends during her illness.

    Any memorials may be made to the Mission Fund of First UnitedMethodist Church.