Earnestine Brame

Earnestine Brame was born March 29, 1926 in Morrilton, Arkansas as one of seven children from the union of the Reverend Tiny Lee Dorris and Della Madison Dorris. As the daughter of a Baptist minister she confessed her Christian faith at an early age and attended both Sunday school and Church on a regular basis.

During high school she was a gifted athlete and played basketball for the Conway Public Schools Championship Sullivan Basketball Team. In 1944, after graduating from high school she married Army veteran Herman Brame and moved to Vanport City, Oregon where she worked briefly for the Oregon Ship Building Corporation until her first child was born. 

She regularly attended Mount Olivet Baptist Church until her health began to slow her down in later years, but she continued to study the Bible and watch Christian television programs. In her early adult years she was active with the Woodlawn Parent Teachers Association, the Thriftinettes Club, and the Girl Scouts, worked at Lerner store as the elevator operator and was involved in various Civil Rights marches. In her spare time she loved doing hair in her kitchen, shopping for sales, working Word Find puzzles and proudly announcing to whomever would listen that all four of her children graduated from college.

She is survived by her children, Herman L. Brame (Tanya), Estella L. Brame, Rickey M. Brame, and Sandra M. Brame. Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren, Conrad Hurdle (Rebecca), Che’re Nickerson (Nathan) , Rickey Brame Jr.(Kim), Marcel Brame(Stephanie), Derrick Brame, Antar Brame( Miyoshi) and 14 great grandchildren.

Our beloved Mother left her footprints of love, encouragement, laughter and support with everyone that she met. She is cherished and loved by relatives and friends throughout the Portland area and across the country.

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