Ernestine Collins (Bailey) Anderson

Ernestine was a person of exceptional intelligence, and patience. She had the ability to empathize with others and to see gray areas. She was born to the late Emma and Ernest Collins in Union, South Carolina on June 10, 1945. She was a member and Valedictorian of the Carver High School Class of 1962. She was a graduate of Fisk University and continued her studies at University of Minnesota, Clemson University and Hamline University Law school. Her career achievements included Human Resources, labor relations and mediation. She worked towards positive change within organizations that would make them more receptive to diversity in staffing these included Milliken and Company, Bell South-Public Relations and the University of Minnesota. After raising her only child, Steven Brian Collins Bailey and living in Nashville, New Orleans and Minneapolis she returned to her hometown of Spartanburg, SC. She reunited with her first love , Elishia Anderson. Together they worked his 40 year business Anderson Upholstery Cleaning Specialist. She also worked along with her parents and sister Kittie Collins Tullis at E.L Collins Funeral home and Liberty Bonding Company. She enjoyed volunteering with the Juvenile Justice program. She loved her friends and called them her "chosen family", Doris Wright Gibbs, Joan and Bill Thomas, Mary Wells, Anita Dabon and her Other Mom, the late Helen Bobo. She leaves to cherish her first and last love, Elishia Anderson; a much loved son Steven Bailey (Michelle) of Minneapolis, MN; daughters in love; Stacy Anderson Powe (Ron); Madgie Anderson Scott (Keith); of Detroit,MI; sister, Kittie Collins Tullis; nephew, Rodman Collins Tullis (Veronica); grandchildren; Jada Sky Bailey, Isaiah Collins Bailey, Christopher Charles Packer all of Minneapolis, MN, Dujuan Mitchell ( Tressa) of Spartanburg, Glenn Anderson (Colina) , Adovia Alston, Khadija Hicks (Marlon), Brandon Anderson, Micah and Derrick Scott all of Detroit, MI; ten great grandchildren; several families Patton, Collins, Hunter, Tullis, Bailey, Lewis, Rogers, Douglas/Farrs members with whom she shared love. Her Unity Baptist Church family in Detroit,MI. She was proceeded in death by her nephew; Dewey Ernest Tullis , brother-in-law, W.Dewey Tullis and her spiritual mentors James and Ida Williams.