Ernestine Holt Aune, age 83, died Friday, February 13, 2015 at Yalobusha General Hospital in Water Valley, MS. She was born October 19, 1931 in Bossier Parish, LA to the late Sanford and Millie Thornton Holt. Ernestine grew up and attended public elementary and high schools in Shreveport, LA, and in 1952, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from East Texas Baptist College in Marshall, TX. She met and married Ernest P. Aune in 1954 while he was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base outside Bossier City, LA. They made their home in Water Valley, MS after spending eighteen months at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. Their oldest son was born in Alaska and the couple was blessed with three more sons over the next nine years. As a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Water Valley, Ernestine was always active in youth activities, teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. She was director of the church library for twenty-one years. She later taught the Esther Sunday School class for many years. When Ernestine was offered a fellowship for graduate work by the University of Mississippi, she jumped at the opportunity. She earned the Master of Library Science degree in 1968. Water Valley High School hired her as librarian and she worked there for many years. After taking early retirement, she served for ten years as a trustee for the Blackmur Memorial Library. Mrs. Aune was a charter member of the Town and Country Garden Club, organized in 1958 with its primary goal being civic improvement and beautification of Water Valley. She served in many capacities, including President from 1960-1962. In 2014 she was presented the Ladies in the Garden Award by the club, commending her for her many years of outstanding service to the club. Ernestine was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 18, 2015 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Water Valley, MS. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 2:00 p.m. at the church with Dr. Randy Bain officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley, with Bob Aune, Kyle Aune, Patrick Giadrosich, Cameron Tyler, John Ingram and Curtis Berry serving as pallbearers.
Ernestine is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Ernest P. Aune of Water Valley, MS; four sons, David P. Aune (Glenda) of Saratoga, CA; E. Edwin Aune (Cindy) of Oxford, MS; Kelly T. Aune (Jacquie) of Huntsville, AL and Kris Aune of New Orleans, LA; five grandchildren, Bob Aune (Christin), Jessica Giadrosich (Patrick), Kyle Aune, Laura Lee Aune and Juliann Aune; and one great granddaughter, Parker Mae Aune.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Mike Aune, three sisters and three brothers.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial gifts may be made to The Martha Ministry at First Baptist Church in Water Valley.