Obituary of Eartha L. Sansom

A Mother of Many…

Eartha Lean Sansom was born to the parentage of Gertrude Miller and Clifton Bryant on February 15, 1937 in Riesel, Texas. From an infant, Eartha was raised by her great uncle and aunt, Mr. & Mrs. Sir Walter Scott. She was introduced to Jesus Christ at a very young age and accepted Him as her Savior and Lord. In 1955, Eartha graduated from the only black high school in Waco, TX, A.J. Moore High School. After graduation, Eartha moved to Dallas, Texas and was united in marriage to Thomas Earl Sansom. During the early years of their marriage, Eartha began attending St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, where Rev. W. E. Carter served as the senior pastor and her cousin, Nina Carter, First Lady. During their marriage, Eartha gave birth to six children, four girls and two boys. While raising their children, she also attended business college as well as nursing school for her CNA certification. Eartha then went on to complete her LVN degree. After attending business school, Eartha worked as an Administrative Assistant for several prominent businesses in the DFW area. Later in life as a single mom of six, Eartha went to work as a private duty nurse for multiple nursing agencies. Serving as a private duty nurse, Eartha was a loving and compassionate caregiver for some of the most prominent business men and women in the Dallas area.  She continued her nursing career as a private duty nurse until 2008. Eartha also worked as a nurse for DISD until her retirement. A caregiver to her core and after her retirement she continued to enjoy working as a Senior Companion for the Senior Source. 

Eartha used the gifts and talents God blessed her with in ministry at her home church, St. Paul AME, Dallas and later, Victory Temple Christian Life Center, also serving in the Health Ministry/Nurse's Guild, both in the local church and at the Conference and District level. Eartha also served in the Gospel Choir, Lay Organization, local, Conference & District as well as the Jail/Prison ministry and the Evangelism team.

Above all else, Eartha was a family woman. The matriarch of many. She loved to brag that as an only child she asked God for a big family and a big family she received. Eartha is preceded in death by both parents and both husbands, and her great-granddaughter Ripley Bailey. She was a mother to 6 children and their spouses: Herrona Williams (Steve), Rolando Sansom (Liz), LaJuan Shirsty (Chris), Topasana Sansom, Felecia S. Burns (David), and Yvette Hunter (Tony). She was a grandmother to 13 grandchildren and their spouses: Dameon Sansom (Connie), Odaveous Sansom (Esha), Clint Baker (Heather), Dennis Baker (Casey), Arista Williams,  Carnell Green, Toussiant Sansom (Phebe), Aimeé Bailey (Paul), LaToya Hunter, Cynammon Allen (Andrew), Orlando Hunter (Jasmine), Phyre Burns, Denim Sansom, and Dalton Sansom. She was a great-grandmother to 19: Amarie Williams, Brianna Sansom, Aumani Sansom, Daumani Sansom, Kennedy Baker, Reagan Baker, Samahdi Sansom, Ajah Stradick, Ajani Stradick, Orlando Hunter, Jr., Kanoa Bailey, River Baker, Hale Bailey, Caleb Sansom, Naahmah Bailey, Onyx Hunter, Kateri Bailey, Thyme Allen, and Kush Allen. On top of being the best mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Eartha was a loyal sister in law, cousin, aunt, friend, and mentor to many.

Servant of God, Well Done. 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Cor. 15:58