Earnestine Meadows Blake, of Rockford departed this earthly life May 25, 2024. She was born July 9, 1940 in Luster, Arkansas the daughter of Elbert and Jearlean Gray. Earnestine lived in Rockford 15 years coming from Reno, Nevada. She was employed as a E.K.G Reader Specialist  Phone-A-Gram Systems in San Francisco, CA and Reno, Nevada. Earnestine was a member of the Jefferson Horton American Legion Women's Auxiliary.  She was baptized at an early age at Mount Mariah Church, later attending Second Baptist Church in Reno. She attended Pleasant Hill High School in Chidester, Arkansas.

Earnestine leaves to cherish many loving memories, six sons, James Gray, Dennis (Patrcia) Meadows and Doyel Meadows, Larry Walker, Quincy and Rodrick Sanders; daughter, Janice Johnson; 18 special  grandchildren;14 special great grandchildren; four sisters, Celestine Baxter, Rose Sockwell, Joyce Boone and Sandra Geeter; two brothers, Elbert and Curtis Gray;  special cousins who was raised by her mother, Vickie Simon, William and Edward Caviness; god daughter, Sarah Smith; two godsons, James Denny and Anthony Staten; special friends, Annie Blacknell and Ben Unger; a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her parents; daughter Vickie Dowthard; and brother, Gary Gray.

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday,  June 7, 2024 at Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home Inc. 200 N. Johnston Ave. Visitation 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.