Ernestine Johnson was born October 3, 1931, to Leona Johnson in Wynona, Texas. She was raised in Dallas, Texas and was baptized at the historic New Hope Baptist Church by the late Maynard Jackson, Sr.

Ernestine was the Valedictorian of her 1948 graduating class at Booker T. Washington High School. She attended college at Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1952. She continued her education at the University of Southern California and earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University in 1969.

Ernestine married Dan Maxie Evans on March 23, 1956, and they had one daughter, Sharon Denise. They were married 61 years until Dan's passing in 2017.

Ernestine was a long time and faithful member of Good Street Baptist Church. She served as Women's Day Chairperson in 1958. She was the secretary of Vacation Bible School for over 30 years and often was a chaperone for the youth department at the Texas State Ushers Convention and the National Baptist Congress.

Ernestine loved playing bridge. She was a member of many clubs over the years and continued to play with L'Entre Nous Bridge Club and Thirteen Hearts Bridge Club until February 2020.

Her mother, Leona Johnson Sherman, her husband, Dan Evans, and brother, Wayne Sherman preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Sharon (Mervin, Sr.) Wright, two grandsons, Edward and Mervin Jr; two sisters, Marjorie (Joe) Alexander and Linda Sherman; one brother, Douglas Sherman, and numerous nephews, nieces, relatives and friends