Ernestine Brown was born May 13, 1938 to Frank Arthur and Fannie Brown in Memphis, TN. She moved to St. Louis, MO in 1940. She married James G. Billups Sr. on June 28, 1954, and to this union eight children were born. One daughter (Annette) preceded her in death. She has one adopted daughter. Her parents and six of her siblings (Earlie Lindsey, George Smith, John Smith, Seth (Ed) Smith, James Smith, Joseph Frank Brown) preceded her in death.
Ernestine was educated in the St. Louis Public School System. She was baptized in 1946 at Star Bethel Baptist Church. She later became a member of Morning Star Baptist Church in 1970 under the leadership of Rev. Ralph Rose/Floyd Morris. In 1997 she joined Peoples Community Christian Church under the leadership of Pastor Bennie B. Ford, where she served until her death.
She was always a burst of energy with a catch phrase that would make you laugh or make you cry. She stressed the importance of a relationship with God, education and self respect; those were her keys to a successful life. She was a member of the Fun Folks Social Club that allowed her to travel and enjoy life. After becoming a single mom with eight children, she was able to view the world and encouraged her children, grandchildren and others to do the same.
She leaves to cherish her memory four daughters: Veretta Billups-King (L.C.), Tracy Smith-Hatchet (Phillip), Denise Billups, Tammie Wheeler (Craig) all of St. Louis, MO; four sons, Darryl Billups (Monica) of St. Louis, MO, Cedric Billups (Donna) of Grand Prairie, TX, James Billups Jr. of Arlington, TX, Kevin Billups (Claudia) of Fort Worth, TX; one sister, Bobbie Jean Brown of St. Louis, MO; 21 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, a family friend and special helper/caregiver John Williams, her best friend, Mildred Henderson, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.