Alice Ernst

Alice Anne Stanfield Ernst passed away on October 20, 2023. Alice was born on April 17, 1934, in Big Spring, Texas to Frank and Margaret Stanfield. The family moved to Wichita Falls, Texas and then to Grand Prairie, Texas in 1941 where her parents worked in the defense industry during World War II. She and her brothers, Charles and James, attended Grand Prairie Schools. She graduated from Grand Prairie High School in 1952 after being involved in many activities. She attended Arlington State College, now University of Texas at Arlington. In 1953, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Paul Wayne Ernst. They were married 59 years before Paul’s death. Alice worked for LTV, Grand Prairie Urban Renewal, Ryan Mortgage, and retired after 20 years from Baxter Healthcare. While at Baxter, along with her other duties, she was chairman of the company’s Community Outreach Committee, where they, among many other endeavors, volunteered at the Arlington Life Shelter. She felt her most important job was raising her sons, Stephen and Keith, and being involved in their activities. Her co-workers, friends, and church family were very important to her. Alice was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1966 and, at various times, served on the Vestry, Vacation Bible School, Altar Guild, Lay reader, managed the church bookstore, participated in Daughters of the King, and served in many other ways. When she and Paul retired, they built a home at White Bluff on Lake Whitney where they lived for 10 years, making new and endearing friends. During this time, Alice joined her first PEO chapter, and she and Paul traveled many exciting places. After Paul’s health declined, they moved back to Grand Prairie to be near his doctors. Alice was extremely proud of her eight grandchildren and stayed active in their lives; and then, joyfully welcomed eleven great-grandchildren into her life. She had a love for football from her early days as a Grand Prairie Gopher head cheerleader and marrying Paul Wayne, the standout football player, to then loyally cheering on her sons and grandsons football days— almost never missing a game. She was also an avid Texas Longhorn and Dallas Cowboy fan. Alice loved history, reading, bridge, supporting her grandchildren’s activities, and spending time with friends and family. She was a lifelong Democrat and passionately studied local and national issues. Alice (Grandmommy) was a kind and cheerful soul who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Alice is preceded in death by her husband Paul, parents Margaret and Frank, brothers Charles and James Stanfield, brother-in-law James Ernst, sisters-in-law Betty Stanfield and Joan Stanfield, and her son Stephen Ernst. She is survived by son Keith Ernst (Darlene); daughter-in-law- Carol Ernst; grandchildren, Lauren Shepherd, Holly Harper (Luke), Ryan Ernst (Lindsee), Laura Smitherman (Charlie), Brent Ernst, Aaron Ernst (Britta), Bryan Ernst, and Sammie Ernst; sisters-in-law Kay Musick (Gary), Jan Ernst, brother-in-law Joe Ernst (Gloria), multiple nieces and nephews, great-grandchildren Rex, Jack, Lily, Hawkins, Addison, Owen, Everett, Conner, Tessa, Johanna, and Sadie. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 2 pm at St. Albans Anglican Church in Arlington.