On May 23, 2018, God called home, Ernestine Vinson, known affectionately as Sister Tina.  She was born March 24, 1960 to the late Gladys and Ernest Eaton. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Joe O. “Tony” Vinson, Jr., brother, James Henry “Ricky” Lloyd and sisters, Ruth Whitehead and Katy Parker. She attended Portsmouth Public Schools. She was employed at Quality Cleaners, Giant OpenAir Market, Vergas Pizza and she had her own daycare business. She was a neighborhood candy lady and made delicious apple and sweet potato jacks. She was most known among her family and friends for her exceptional gifts of cooking, sewing, and crocheting. Sister Tina accepted our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as a young woman and during her lifetime she supported several church ministries; Christian Antioch Church in Christ, Victorious Living Ministries, Upper Room Church of Deliverance and Holy Light Church of Deliverance.

?Sister Tina Vinson served faithfully in various ministries of the church including; the Missionary Department, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, YPHA, where you could always find her alongside her beloved husband helping with the youth department activities. She loved working with the children who lovingly called her “Aunt Tina.” And she diligently served as the Women’s Usher Board President until her health began to waver. She had a quiet and meek spirit. She not only cared for her four children, but the Vinson home was always open to anyone in need of food, clothing, shelter, guidance and love; along with fun and crab eating feasts. Sister Tina truly loved the Lord and always had a smile on her face. She loved listening to her radio and bible tapes. Sister Tina lived a triumphant life. She embodied strength and was resilient in mind, body and spirit.

Ernestine Vinson is survived by her children; Kristina Yvette Vinson, LaTonya Vinson, Melissa Hill (Jerome), Joe Vinson, III (Crystal) all of Portsmouth, VA; sisters, Ann Jordan of Hampton, VA, Barbara Jean Williams, Sheryl Eaton (Nathaniel) of Portsmouth, VA, Mildred Sears of Garden City, KS; brothers, Melvin Lloyd, Tyrone Eaton (Loretta) of Portsmouth, VA, and Nelson Jenkins of Louisville, KY. She helped raise two nieces as daughters, Monique and Courtney Munford. Tina leaves behind four grandchildren, JoeQuan, Tiresha, Jossiah, and Journey; her father and mother-in-law, Elder Joe and Mother Martha Vinson of Chesapeake, VA; sisters-in-law, Joann Munford, Barbara Vinson-Ratliff, Sandra Norfleet (Charles), Norma Jackson (David), brothers-in-law, Tracey Vinson (LaShaunda), M. DeRon Vinson (LaKeisha); aunts, Elsie Harvey, Mary  Casterlow, and June Eaton of Portsmouth, VA; godchildren, Darius Hines, Raven Hill, Onesha Reese; a caring family friend Rashida Hardy and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends who will cherish her memories.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018, 12 noon at Christian Antioch Church In Christ, 2200 Palmer St., Portsmouth, VA 23704.  Interment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake, VA.  Viewing will be held on Wednesday, May 30th, from 12 noon to 8 pm at Corprew Funeral Home and the family will receive friends from 6 pm to 7 pm at the funeral home.