Mrs. Earnestine Smelley James was born on September 23, 1947, to the late Mr. Flozell Jackson and Mrs. Francis Jackson in Clinton, Alabama. She was the youngest of seven children. She was preceded in death by one brother, Josephus Jackson.

In the early 50's, the family moved to Jefferson County and joined the Hopewell Baptist Church of Westfield. She was educated by the Birmingham School System and in 1965, she graduated from Westfield High School.

In August of 1966, Earnestine Jackson married William L. Smelley and to this union, her most precious jewel, her beautiful daughter, Angela was born.

In the late 60's, Earnestine moved to New York where she was employed by several companies before she gained employment with Parkway Hospital as a dietician. She joined the Antioch Baptist Church of Corona, NY under the leadership of Rev. Albert Paul Brinson. After his retirement, Earnestine became an active member under Rev. Marvin J. Bentley. She was the president of the Pastors Aide Auxiliary, President of the September Club, a member of the Usher Board, Gospel Choir and Willing Workers. In 1987, Earnestine relocated to Los Angeles, CA. In that same year, she was gainfully employed with Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, CA. She worked in food services where she coordinated and executed special events for the hospital. She joined the Southern Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Joel Gates in Los Angeles, CA. She served as President of the Pastor Aide Auxiliary, was a member of the Usher Board and sang in the senior choir.

On June 22, 1991, she joined in holy matrimony to Mr. Clarence James.

In 2017, Earnestine retired from Centinela Hospital Medical Center and moved back home to Birmingham, AL.

Her hobbies were cooking, shopping, decorating, traveling, and dancing. She exuberantly celebrated every holiday. She loved celebrating her birthday which was on September 23rd. Her birthday celebration began on September 1st and ended on September 30th of each year.

Earnestine, also known as "Stine" by many, was a compassionate, cordial, warm-hearted, gracious and sociable person. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to benefit any occasion. Whenever there was a need, Stine would find a way to accomplish the task.

She believed in having fun and enjoying life. She could convert underground parking spaces to resemble a banquet hall at the Marriot Hotel. Stine's creative style was reflected in every event she celebrated.

Mrs. Earnestine Smelley James was called home from her labor to rest on May 7, 2021, in the comfort of her home surrounded by family and friends.

She was a devoted wife, mother, godmother, and foster grandmother.

She leaves to cherish her memories, a loving and devoted husband, Clarence James; daughter, Angela Smelley Coleman; stepdaughter, Ashley Warren; goddaughter, Sheri Williams; godson, Haywood Sean Mungin; four sisters, Dorothy Eatman (John), Los Angeles, CA; Fannie L. Nathan (Jimmy), Birmingham, AL; Bernice Benjamin and Olivia Jackson both of Los Angeles, CA; and one brother, Flozell Jackson (Martha), New York. Six sisters-in-laws, Barbara Williams, Birmingham, Alabama; Beulah Dickens and Nellie Hopkins of Tarboro, NC; Channie Grant (William) Richmond, VA; Julia Cargile (Royal) and Daisy James of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Three brothers-in-laws, Willie James, Marietta, GA; James Smelley and Peter Kimbrough of Birmingham, Alabama. One uncle, Johnnie Hughes. Two aunts, Mary Francis Nixon and Lillian Brooks of Cleveland, OH. She leaves a host of nieces and nephews especially James Nathan of Maryland and Daryl Nathan of Los Angeles, CA, numerous relatives, friends and her special loving, devoted friends and caretakers Carolyn McMillon, Atlanta, GA and Maxine Harris, Birmingham, AL.