Ernestine Coskrey Player

I am truly saddened to learn of Ernestine's passing. Ernestine was one of the first social workers I met through a mutual friend when I moved from India in early 1970's. She was just a delightful person and a good friend. As a true Social Worker, she helped me to assist families with children with disabilities -- in creating a one of the first Help-lines in South Carolina. Thousands of families benefitted from her vision. She will live on in our memories of her kind deeds. May God bless her with Eternal Peace.

Ernestine was my oldest and dearest friend. We met at the Richmond Professional School of Social Work, where we were studying for our masters. That was in 1957-58 when we were in our 20's, full of optimism, and sure we could change the world. (Fortunately, Ernestine did more than her share of doing just that.)

Ernestine had that special gift to make, maintain, and nourish friendship over a lifetime and it was my great and good fortune to be the recipient

Ernestine was my oldest and dearest friend. We met at the Richmond Professional School of Social Work, where we were studying for our masters. That was in 1957-58 when we were in our 20's, full of optimism, and sure we could change the world. (Fortunately, Ernestine did more than her share of doing just that.)

Ernestine had that special gift to make, maintain, and nourish friendship over a lifetime and it was my great and good fortune to be the recipient of that special bond of friendship that lasts forever.

I was privy to the milestones in Ernestine's family. I learned about their comings and goings, their school achievements, awards, boy/girl friends, marriages, children, etc. She doted on them all with a fierce loyalty and love that was uniquely "Aunt Ernestine". She also embraced my family. She was a great friend to my sister Betty who lives in Columbia, even if their conversations were mostly about cats! She attended our son's wedding and later entertained grandchildren and gave an impromptu birthday feast to a visiting daughter-in-law.

Ernestine was an authentic, unique, one of a kind human being. What you saw was what you got. She had a special place in her heart for the marginalized, undervalued, discriminated against, and she saw the needs of others and went about changing whatever she could. I count myself exceedingly blessed to have known Ernestine through the years. One is fortunate indeed to be blessed with such a friendship. To her family and friends I extend condolences with the prayer that special memories will help to sustain them through the difficult days ahead.

Sometimes in our frustration over seemingly impossible goals we would resort to the expression "you can’t fix it" but we both knew we would keep on trying.

When I drove out of Columbia following the beautiful memorial to return home to Raleigh, there seemed to be a pall over the whole city, like someone had turned out the lights, but they will come on again. That's the way she would have wanted it. I will feel her presence will be with me always.

I am saddened at the news of Ernestine's passing. When I moved to SC in 1969, Ernestine was one of the first social workers I met. I had the honor of working with her at DHEC and with the SCNASW. She was also a good friend - a truly kind person and a dedicated sw. As I get older, 79 seems to me like a young age for a person to pass from our presence. I'm sure she will live on in our memories of her kind deeds.

"Pete" was very special to all of us. Love and sympathy to all of you. Theo Turner Woods, Mayeswville and Beaufort

I appreciate so much your untireless dedication and support given us and our profession.

She will certainly be missed.

Ernestine was a giant of a lady in her profession, very highly respected by her professional peers for her intellect and her knowledge. I met her at DHEC in the 70’s and she was very supportive of my career growth and professional advancement in the public health Social Work arena.
She also became a “true friend” and extended member of the Gilbert family; caring about and being supportive of my children, my husband and even my mother during her illnesses. She

Ernestine was a giant of a lady in her profession, very highly respected by her professional peers for her intellect and her knowledge. I met her at DHEC in the 70’s and she was very supportive of my career growth and professional advancement in the public health Social Work arena.
She also became a “true friend” and extended member of the Gilbert family; caring about and being supportive of my children, my husband and even my mother during her illnesses. She was our emergency contact for their school and present for our children’s’ graduations and all other special occasions. Our children grew to love and deeply care for her while they were little children growing up and as they developed through their teen and later adult years. She became and to this day, was known as “Aunt Ernestine” to them.
Even though she wanted me to remain active in the Social Work profession, she was very supportive and instrumental in helping me pursue my dreams of becoming an attorney. She designated a bedroom in her home as “Ann’s law school study room” where no one was allowed to bother me while I studied, unless I chose to be. Throughout my three years in law school for each exam period and I prepared for the bar exam process; I would move to “my room” at Ernestine’s where she and her “doggies” love, her “pots of soups” her candy dishes of Hershey Kisses, and her “you can do it” words of encouragement; were all standard fare for helping me get through each exam period. She and my mother were two proud women when I graduated from law school and when I passed the bar to become a licensed attorney.
Both of our birthdays were in February and beginning in the late 80’s we started celebrating our birthdays together at home or at our favorite restaurant. Last month, we unable to spend our birthdays together, but we had already spent very significant time together a few months prior when she asked me to stay in the hospital with her for various procedures and asked me to go home to stay for a period with her when she went home to recuperate.
Ernestine sincerely cared about people and extended herself to others, positively impacting many lives. We both cherished the “true friendship” bond we shared and I feel she represented the “epitome” of what friendship means.
My sympathy to the family for the loss of a “very special” giant of a lady.
Attorney Annie Staton Gilbert , on behalf of
Rev. Dr. Jimmy E. Gilbert, Jr
Lenora Ann & Jimmy III
Columbia, SC
Mrs. Gladys Staton
Pinetops, NC

Ernestine was a giant of a lady in her profession, very highly respected by her professional peers for her intellect and her knowledge. I met her at DHEC in the 70’s and she was very supportive of my career growth and professional advancement in the public health Social Work arena.
She also became a “true friend” and extended member of the Gilbert family; caring about and being supportive of my children, my husband and even my mother during her illnesses. She

Ernestine was a giant of a lady in her profession, very highly respected by her professional peers for her intellect and her knowledge. I met her at DHEC in the 70’s and she was very supportive of my career growth and professional advancement in the public health Social Work arena.
She also became a “true friend” and extended member of the Gilbert family; caring about and being supportive of my children, my husband and even my mother during her illnesses. She was our emergency contact for their school and present for our children’s’ graduations and all other special occasions. Our children grew to love and deeply care for her while they were little children growing up and as they developed through their teen and later adult years. She became and to this day, was known as “Aunt Ernestine” to them.
Even though she wanted me to remain active in the Social Work profession, she was very supportive and instrumental in helping me pursue my dreams of becoming an attorney. She designated a bedroom in her home as “Ann’s law school study room” where no one was allowed to bother me while I studied, unless I chose to be. Throughout my three years in law school for each exam period and I prepared for the bar exam process; I would move to “my room” at Ernestine’s where she and her “doggies” love, her “pots of soups” her candy dishes of Hershey Kisses, and her “you can do it” words of encouragement; were all standard fare for helping me get through each exam period. She and my mother were two proud women when I graduated from law school and when I passed the bar to become a licensed attorney.
Both of our birthdays were in February and beginning in the late 80’s we started celebrating our birthdays together at home or at our favorite restaurant. Last month, we unable to spend our birthdays together, but we had already spent very significant time together a few months prior when she asked me to stay in the hospital with her for various procedures and asked me to go home to stay for a period with her when she went home to recuperate.
Ernestine sincerely cared about people and extended herself to others, positively impacting many lives. We both cherished the “true friendship” bond we shared and I feel she represented the “epitome” of what friendship means.
My sympathy to the family for the loss of a “very special” giant of a lady.
Attorney Annie Staton Gilbert , on behalf of
Rev. Dr. Jimmy E. Gilbert, Jr
Lenora Ann & Jimmy III
Columbia, SC
Mrs. Gladys Staton
Pinetops, NC

Ms Ernestine Player was my Sunday school teacher when I was younger. Even at a young age, I could tell she had a passion for children and for giving knowledge. Sometimes, you don't realize what you have in a person until they are gone. I wish I had known her better! What a special person we had in her

Ernestine was a dear friend to my entire family, including our dogs, Jackson and Coco, a Boykin Spaniel. It was Ernestine who told us of Scape Ore Kennel in Mayesville and went with us to get Coco and bring her home. Our family met Ernestine through a mutual friend over 25 years ago. Through the years, she helped me "raise" our children with her incredible advice and encouragement and friendship. Our visits were always filled with fun stories shared as

Ernestine was a dear friend to my entire family, including our dogs, Jackson and Coco, a Boykin Spaniel. It was Ernestine who told us of Scape Ore Kennel in Mayesville and went with us to get Coco and bring her home. Our family met Ernestine through a mutual friend over 25 years ago. Through the years, she helped me "raise" our children with her incredible advice and encouragement and friendship. Our visits were always filled with fun stories shared as the children grew up, graduated from high school and college and then married and had children of their own. In the past few years even our
grandchildren were include in our visits and of course, the
dogs, too. We were so sad to learn of Ernestine's death.
We will miss her so much but have such wonderful memories and stories to carry in our hearts for always.
Thank you, Ernestine, you were such an inspiration to all of us!
Our love,
Barbara and Bobby Williams,
Taje, Mike, Rosie and Eliza Davis,
Elizabeth and Robert Williams
Ashely, Matthew and Taylor Williams,
Katherine and Christopher Williams