Ernestine Alderman VanLandingham

Mrs. Ernestine VanLandingham, age 95, a former resident of Fort Pierce died Sunday, August 1, 2010 in Stanley House in DeFuniak Springs. A fifth generation Floridian, she was born in Fort Pierce April 5, 1915, the daughter of Burgess Elliott and Dollie Parker Alderman. Her great grandfather, Captain William B. Hooker of Tampa was Florida’s “cattle king” during the years before the Civil War. Readding Blount, who founded Bartow, Florida in 1851 was her great great grandfather. She was also a direct descendant of William Spencer who died in 1640, a pioneer of New England who is listed on the Founders Monument at Hartford, Connecticut. She graduated from Fort Pierce High School in 1933 and attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Mrs. VanLandingham was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Fort Pierce, joining in 1928 and served as Elder and president of the Presbyterian Women’s Association. She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and was past Regent of the Cora Stickney Harper Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also past president of the St. Lucie County Cattlewomen, Early Settlers Association of the Lower Indian River and the Fort Pierce Business and Professional Women’s Club. She was a Girl Scout when the first chapter was formed in Fort Pierce in 1927.

Mrs. VanLandingham is predeceased by her husband Samuel Pierre VanLandingham and a son Kyle VanLandingham. Among survivors are her son Larue VanLandingham and her daughter-in-law Denise VanLandingham of Prosperity, several nieces and nephews also survive.
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Floral arrangements are being accepted. A time of visitation will be one hour prior to funeral time, from 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 3. 2010 until 11:00 A.M. with the funeral beginning at 11:00 A.M. in Hickory Hill Baptist Church with Reverend Chris Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in Hickory Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.