MARIANNA — Ernestine Byrd Jumper Wright

passed away December 10, 2020, in Marianna, Ark. She was born January 1, 1942, in the Salem community, Lee County, Ark. She was the youngest of seven children born to Clenond (C.K.) and Mamie Vivian (Jones) Byrd. Ernestine grew up in the Salem community and attended Salem Methodist Church. While raising her sons Ernestine attended EACC and obtained her degree in nursing. She started her career at Forrest City Hospital where she later became head nurse of the ICU. She also helped with the paramedic program and taught ACLS classes while working at Forrest City Hospital. Ernestine then moved to Little Rock where she worked at the VA hospital. Ernestine was also one of the the first registered nurses to be certified in Arkansas to perform PICC IV lines. While working in Little Rock Ernestine met Ron Wright. Ron and Ernestine were married on November 10, 2000. They spent their 20 years together in Russellville, Ark., and were able to spend time with Ron’s children Susan and Kevin and their children. She is survived by her three sons, Michael & Karen Jumper of Fort Worth, Texas, Clinton & Sharon Jumper of Palestine, and Todd Jumper & fiancé, Laurie Fowler, of Harrisburg. She is also survived by grandchildren Carson Jumper, Emily Mabe, Madison Jumper, Chelsea Gibson, Matt Jumper, Hayden Jumper and Katie Jumper and great-grandchildren Hensley & Doss Gibson, Parker Mabe and Connor McDaniel, two stepchildren Kevin Wright of Russellville and his children, Tanner and Haley Wright, great-granddaughter, Riley, Ashlee Wright; a daughter, Susan Meador of Russellville and her children, Devin and Megan Brown, and great-grandson, Cohen and Ryan Meador and brother, A.D. Byrd. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Letha Wheeler, Kenneth Byrd, Derward Byrd, Clara Sue Jumper, Romey Byrd, and husband, Ron Wright. Pallbearers: Michael Jumper, Clinton Jumper, Todd Jumper, Matt Jumper, Carson Jumper and Hayden Jumper. Graveside Services will be held Saturday, December 12, 2020, at 2 p.m., at Salem Cemetery in Goodwin. Stevens Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may log on to stevensfuneralhome.net to sign the online registry.