‘Grandma Tina Honored for Life of Service and Love’
Chattanooga’s Ernestine Berry Carter was honored by her family, community, and profession just days prior to what would have been her 90th birthday.
Chattanooga State Community College announced the Ernestine Carter Endowed Nursing Scholarship on Monday, November 19 as a “trailblazer” was memorialized for her steady determination wrapped in compassion as a nurse. “Tina” became the first Black admissions nurse at Memorial Hospital and the first Black member of the Ask-A-Nurse program after receiving her nursing degree from Cleveland State Community College in 1974.
Ms. Carter started her education in Chattanooga’s Public Schools and graduated from Howard High School as a member of the Class of 1953.
Most won’t know Ernestine Carter, or Grandma Tina, unless your life has been touched by her devotion to patient care and needs. Or, you may know her grandson, Usher (Usher Raymond IV) who made remarks to honor his grandmother’s legacy.
“She was a hero–my personal hero,” declared the R&B legend via a recorded message. “Our goal in establishing this scholarship is to impact lives forever and inspire the next generation of nurses to live and serve by my grandmother’s example.”
Usher came up with the idea to honor his grandmother back in 2022 when Tina Carter died the day before Christmas. The funding comes from the singer and a partnership with another philanthropist and family friend, Cammie Rice, who spoke of her own experience of the Christ-centered love of Tina who would call her with prayers and encouragement.
The endowment is now the largest nursing scholarship of Chattanooga State’s history that will cover tuition, the most costly portion of higher education, to open doors for others pursuing a life of serving for the purpose to heal.
Ms. Carter acknowledged that she had been called by God in 1971, but faced challenges as a female in organized Christian ministry. Finally, in 1990, Tina began another aspect of the ministry of healing by reaching out to and meeting the needs of individuals who were incarcerated and their families impacted by teaching about “repentance and reconciliation to become who God created them to be.”
Usher praised his inspiration, “Grandma Tina, you did it!”
Yes, Grandma Tina, you did it with grace, determination, and overcoming barriers that typically frustrate most to inaction.
Ernestine Berry Carter had notable recognitions, two of which include “Black Pioneer Women Award of Excellence” presented by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Chattanooga Chapter, and as an honoree and inductee into the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.