Earnestine (Gamble) Ivory was born on November 15, 1950, in Dallas, Texas, to proud parents, Earnest and Faye (Sheppard) Gamble. She was the baby of three daughters. The family moved to San Diego, where Earnestine completed her formal education through the San Diego Unified School District. She attended Stockton and Ocean View Elementary Schools, Gompers Junior High School, and Abraham Lincoln High School.
She was a “jack of all trades” in training, experiencing, and developing skills in cosmetology, court reporting, floral arrangement, real estate, Mary Kay, and Avon. She was employed by Teledyne Ryan, Las Colinas Women Detention Center of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, and retired from the US Postal Service.
She received Christ at an early age at Logan Temple AME Zion Church. She joined New Creation Church of San Diego where she participated in various ministries. She served as the first President of the Women of Faith and sang in the Choir. She often quoted her favorite scripture, Joshua 24:15, “But as for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord.” She participated in church activities until her health failed, requiring her care in a nursing home.
On Saturday, August 16, 2025, Earnestine was called from labor to eternal rest.
She leaves to cherish her memory son Melvin Maurice Maxwell (Natalie) of Salt Lake City, Utah, two sisters; Margaret Watson and Peggy Gamble of San Diego, CA, four granddaughters; Nina Redmond (Terron) of Apple Valley, CA, Devionare Howland (Spencer) of Lehi, UT, Lexus Lyons of Orem, UT, and Lourdes Lyons of American
Fork, UT, two grandsons; Maurice Maxwell (Kellie) of Lehi, UT and Jonathan (Alexa) of Ogden, UT, great-grandchildren; Tayden and Quentin Redmond, Malakai, Zoe, and Mia Maxwell, Sienna Maxwell, Maxwell and Alyzia Howland, stepchildren; Michael and Michelle Ivory, granddaughter Onezia Ivory, special cousins; Jerrie Crowder (Larry) and Robbie Dickerson, nieces; Stacie Watson and Myla Hill, nephews; Jonathan Watson, Marcell Hill, and Amari Hill, and a host of relatives and friends.
