But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.        -Isaiah 40:31

On August 23, 1938, Rennie and Elizabeth Ravenell were blessed with their first child, Earnestine Ravenell, in the Old Field Section of St. Stephen, South Carolina. On Sunday, June 11, 2023 at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, in West Ashley, South Carolina, Earnestine mounted up with wings and peacefully transitioned to be with the Lord.

Earnestine was educated in the public schools of Berkeley County, graduating from Russellville High School, Class of 1957. She attended Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina where she was voted "Most Personality" and graduated in 1961 with a degree in Elementary Education.  Earnestine furthered her studies at The Citadel and the College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina.

Earnestine's career in education started in rural Georgia.  When the opportunity arose, she moved back to St. Stephen, SC and began teaching at J.K. Gourdin Elementary School.  After a short stint there, she transferred to St. Stephen Elementary School where she taught countless students over her 33 years prior to retirement in 1997.   Mrs. Reed was a constant presence at St. Stephen Elementary School teaching 5th grade for many years and humorously introducing many to the interesting combination of "peanuts in Pepsi."

Earnestine began her Christian walk at St. Matthew Baptist Church, where she was a lifelong member.  As a member she served as a Deaconess, Sunday School Teacher, Usher and a member of the Senior Choir.  Aside from her work at St. Matthew Baptist Church, Earnestine was actively involved in the Antioch Association as an Advisor for the Youth Crusaders for many years.

She was also a member of the St. John Chapter #213 of the Order of Eastern Star.

Earnestine enjoyed bowling, crossword puzzles, watching games shows and basketball.  But more than anything she loved reading the Bible and discussing Scriptures.  She loved to cook, and was known by many for her "Sour Cream Pound Cake."  She would not let you leave her house without insisting you have a slice (either fresh or from the freezer) or a couple of slices to take with you.  Her love of cooking led her to start her own "Meals on Wheels" within the community to support the elderly and home bound.

On December 26,1965, Earnestine married Deacon Herbert Reed and they spent the next 39 years together until Herbert's passing in November 2005. To this union, they were blessed with two sons: Herbert A. (Tony) and Keith.

Earnestine leaves to cherish in her memory: her devoted sons, Tony (Le Shonda) of St. Stephen, SC and Keith (Chenoa) Reed of Orlando, FL; bonus son, Dennis Addison of St. Stephen, SC; four (4) grandchildren: La J'ai, Langston, Aziel and Elias Reed; seven (7) sisters: Jane (Sam) Brown of Harlem, NY, Mozell Gethers of Hamden, CT, Lillie (James) Brown of St. Stephen, SC, Bernice Martin of Hampton, VA, Virginia Patrick of Charlotte, NC, Alfreda Muldrow of St. Stephen, SC, and Rochelle (Christopher) Gethers of Newport News, VA; loving aunts, Mattie Gethers of Moncks Corner, SC and Elizabeth Addison of North Charleston, SC; loving uncle, Beaufort Addison of Holly Hill, SC; a devoted nephew and niece Anthony and Sharon Brown of Hopkins, SC; sisters-in-law, Sheryl Ravenell, Rona Ravenell, and Beverly Ravenell; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

With special thanks we would like to acknowledge those who made Earnestine's last days comfortable; her very special friend and caregiver Jesse Lee Johnson, the staff of Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital Neurological Department, Aura Home Health Care and those of you who visited and called and that were by her side at the end of her earthly journey.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, June 16, 2023, 11:00 a.m., at Day Dawn Baptist Church, 2057 Highway 45, Pineville, SC. Interment, Peru Cemetery. Viewing will be held Thursday, June 15, 2023, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Gethers St. Stephen Chapel, 221 Church Road, St. Stephen, SC. There will be no viewing after the service.

The service will be live streamed on the funeral home's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/gethersfh