Earnestine Velma Johnson was born on March 28, 1957 in Sumter, South Carolina to Ernest and Ruth Johnson. Her family later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she grew up surrounded by Christian love and sibling fun while enjoying as many Philly Cheesesteaks, butterscotch krimpets and peanut chews as she could handle in her younger years and beyond. Following her high school graduation from Springside School, she attended Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where she majored in accounting. While at Duke, Earnie met Stanley Driskell and the two were later wed at Duke Chapel on July 3, 1983. The newlyweds settled into their new beginnings in Charleston, South Carolina and would later relocate to different cities (Palm Harbor, Florida; Lawrenceville, Georgia and Clemmons, North Carolina) before settling in McKinney, Texas.
Honoring a Woman Who Brought Out the Best in Others
The union of Earnestine and Stanley produced six children. Each child possessed so many different gifts and strengths that Earnie fostered a fast-paced loving care to keep up with everyone and a firm, watchful eye as she asked one iconic question: “Are you crazy?” which was her way of saying “No.” Throughout her time in McKinney, Earnie worked for McKinney Independent School District, serving as a substitute teacher in middle and high schools along with supporting the juvenile detention center in the McKinney area. She was also diligent in her service to the Lord, serving in children’s ministry at Amazing Church in McKinney, Texas. In her spare time, she loved to gather with friends and family, play Sudoku or trivia, watch the TV show Monk and dance. A phenomenal seamstress and woman with artistic flair with crafts, she loved Christmas, shopping and finding the best deals. She could always be counted on to send text messages or make phone calls to family and friends who did not live nearby. She enjoyed a good phone call and was genuinely interested in the lives of her loved ones.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
During the early morning hours on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, our beloved Earnie received a Divine invitation to enter eternal rest. Armed with the blessing of peace that surpasses all understanding and the joy of knowing God the Maker of heaven and earth, we are fully persuaded that Earnie is resting from all of her earthly labors. We entrust her to the boundless love and eternal care of our Loving God.
Earnie is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Ruth Johnson; her brother, Michael Johnson; her in-laws, Jabe and Ruby Driskell; and brother-in-law, Kevin Driskell.
Cherishing her memory – her husband of 39 years, Stanley Driskell, Sr.; their children: Lauren, Stanley Jr., Shelby, James, Bryan, and Stephen; her grandchildren: Arielle, Keyon, Journey, and Joy; her sisters: Ruth E. Reece, Gail McCleary, Jacqueline Johnson, Carol Johnson and Cynthia Griffin; and her granddogs: Honey and Nico. In addition, there are a host of relatives, friends, neighbors, classmates and sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. who share the joy of honoring Earnie’s life, her spirit, and now her legacy.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 1, 2022 at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church, 1015 Sam Rayburn Tollway, Allen, Texas 75013.
The family will receive family and friends during a visitation on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.