Ernestine S. Swinton

Ernestine Samuel Swinton was born April 27, 1921 in Florence, South Carolina. She was the daughter of late Ernest and Emma Calperta Evans Samuel. Ernestine received her formal education in the Florence public school system, she attended Wilson High School.

At an early age , Ernestine became a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Florence, SC, where she was a lifetime member . Ernestine met and married James Swinton Sr.,  from this union there were (3) children Ruby, James, and Mary Swinton. She had (2) step daughters,  Jessie Mae Samuel and Doretha Simmons.

In the late 50’s, Ernestine believed in better opportunities for her family so she convinced her family to move to Philadelphia, PA.   Her life’s destiny of overcoming challenges were set early in life. She believed in education and wanted her children to go to college to prepare for a better chance in life.  Ernestine Swinton made great sacrafices and worked several jobs to send her two children to college. She loved people and devoted her life to helping others ( the elderly, homeless and under privileged).

In 1968, after her son James Jr. retutned home from service, they started a business in Philadelphia, PA.  Ernestine and James were founders of Central Boarding Home Inc. and Waverly Residential Center Inc.  In 1976, Central Boarding Home Inc was established to aid the aged, poor, disadvantaged and homeless; providing housing, support and rehabilitation services. The business was a family  owned and operated business for over 50 years. Central Boarding Home was one of the first black  owned and operated federal community correction centers in the country, located at the Francis House Community Correction Center, which provided treatment  for prisioners from Bucks County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia County. Central Boarding Home and Waverly Residential Center operated from six different locations in Philadelphia.

She was a member of Fannie J Coppin Order of Eastern Stars Chapter No. 37, Prince Hall afillated Pennsylvania and Pyramid Court No. 17, Daughters of Isis; auxiliary to Ancient Eygptian Arabiac Order Nobles Mystic Shrine, affilated to the Prince Hall.  She became a member of Fannie J Coppin  No. 37 in May of 1986 and was a lifetime member.

Family was most important. She enjoyed family holidays: Thanksgiving at Mary’s house and Christmas at James’s house. Each summer Ernestine would take the family on vacation. She never missed going to Florence to  visit her sisters and she enjoyed attending reunions such as Wilson High School Reunion and Homecoming, She always said she wanted her grandchildren to “Remember their roots and never forget where they came from.”

Ernestine was proceeded in death by her mother Calperta Evans Samuel, father Ernest Samuel, husband James Swinton Sr., daughters Mary Swinton Jackson, Ruby Samuel, Jessie Mae Samuel, and  Doretha Simmons, sisters Caslee Green and Gladys Smalls, brothers William Samuel and  Herbert Samuel and grandson Roy Jackson Jr.

She leave to cherish her memories, one child James Swinton  Jr. of Philadelphia, PA, one sister Eunice Bacote of Florence, SC, two brothers Ernest and Ronald Samuel of Delaware. In addition, special neice Betty Galloway of Florence, SC ,her grandchildren Mario Gooden of New York City,  Rosa Swinton  of Philadelphia, PA , great grandchildren Arianna and Gianna Meeks, and a host of nieces, cousins and devoted friends.

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