On January 17,2024, ERNESTINE PIERCE-RIOS was called home to be with the Lord at the age of 77. Ernestine was born August 23, 1946, to the Late Ernest and Mattie Pearl Pierce. She was one of sixteen children of this union. Ernestine grew up in a loving family and from a young age, she displayed kindness and empathy to all who knew her, and these qualities stayed with her throughout her life.

She was educated in the Bridgeton Public School system and later worked at the Vineland Training School, where she allowed her sweet and caregiving spirit to help others.

Ernestine cherished her family and was always there to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. She was a loving mother, mom-mom, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was filled with love and laughter and was adored by all she encountered. Ernestine was dedicated to her family. Her siblings meant the world to her; at the age of 6 or 7, she and her sister Carlos developed their own language and said that their other sister Ginger was "jealous" because she could not understand them. Ernestine, however, would do anything for all of her sisters. She also loved her brothers dearly and would often call them to say, "I love you!" She enjoyed watching sports, her favorite teams were the Dallas Cowboys and the Phillies. She loved to shop and would be dressed from head to toe. Ernestine loved going on adventures and taking road trips. She always "knew" where she was going and didn't need a GPS.

As her grandchildren grew up, she would take them to the Millville Waterfalls and tell them that they were at Niagara Falls. Later, to her surprise, her children and grandchildren allowed that magical dream to come true.

Ernestine loved her "Charlie's Angels" and greatly enjoyed telling her nieces and nephews horror stories. She also loved gathering all her nieces and nephews in the car and sneaking them into the drive-in movie theater. She was known as the "fun" aunt.

Ernestine was a social butterfly, she lit up every room she walked into with her big personality, beautiful smile, and sense of humor. You could ALWAYS count on laughing when you were in her presence.

She was a faithful servant of God and was a member of the Revival Fellowship Church under the leadership of Pastor WW Koonce and Pastor Betty Burke. She later joined the Union Baptist Temple church under the leadership of Pastor Albert L. Morgan. Ernestine loved the Lord, and her life's mission was to spread the gospel to everyone she met. Her final words were, "I'm not worried; I gave my heart to the Lord a long time ago."

Ernestine was asked "Why do you treat your kids like royalty. She responded, "Because they are children of a Queen." And that she was.

Ernestine's legacy leaves three children: Pearl Rioz (Dennis) , Kimberly (Tyrone) Preyer, and Anthony Rios (Rosa) all of Bridgeton, NJ; bonus daughter Cynthia (Barron) Sherrer of Hobe Sound, FL; siblings, Violetta Rhea of Ohio, Carlos (David) Morrissey of Bridgeton, NJ, Wayman (Gwen) Pierce of Miami, FL., Virginia (Lawerence) Brown of Bridgeton, NJ, Anthony (Jeannette) Pierce of Bridgeton, NJ, Wilhelmina Bryant of Piscataway, NJ; Special Friends and Confidant Erroll Boyne and Pastor Betty Burke. Eight grandchildren, Antwon (Celi) Rios, Patriece (Bryan) Harris; Jakeiva Martin (Shawnee), Candice (Kenneef) Gatson, Maci Rios, Zabril Rios, Zaria Rios and Ezra Rios; great-grandchildren, Bryan Harris, Julianna Rios, Jadalyse Rios, Bryce Harris, Antwon Rios Jr., Kyra Harris, Kreu Mitchell, Nadiah Jackson, I'yonna Gatson and Akhi Gatson; five bonus grandchildren, Annesse Pitter, Holland Sherrer, Oliver Sherrer, Robert Clark and Matilda Brown; two sisters in laws, Loretta Pierce and Davida Pierce; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins and a special niece that she loved as her own, Amber Simmons.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by great-granddaughter Johanna Rios; siblings Mary Louise, Anna, Ernest, Edwin, Charles, Florence, Joyce, Florine, Carolyn, and Harold; and two brothers-in-law, Courtney Waters and Bobby Rhea; a son-in-love, Juan "Poppy" Wynder. Some of Ernestine's final words were, "Don't worry, I gave my heart to the Lord." Ernestine's mission was to lead others to the Lord. Everyone she met she made sure they knew who Jesus was.

In the loving words of Ernestine: "Now, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?"