Alice St. John Ernst Gills

February 28, 1924 - January 1, 2021

Alice St. John Ernst Gills left us to meet with family, friends, and her higher power on January 1, 2021. Alice was born February 28, 1924 in Fernandina Beach, Florida, the last surviving child of Vincent and Mildred St. John. Alice attempted to enlist during World War II, but they would not accept her due to her weight being below the required minimum. Unable to serve in the military, she went to work with her father at his Eastern Auto Parts store in Starke, FL where she changed batteries and other maintenance work but as soon as the war was over, she promptly forgot how to accomplish these tasks. Alice had a sense of adventure and acted as the co-pilot for her father, Vincent when they flew up to visit relatives in Connecticut in the mid 50’s. She drove to visit family in Connecticut, Virginia, and Maine; sometimes by herself. She traveled to Costa Rica, Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming when in her 70’s as well as Key West and Ohio in her late 80’s. She was very outgoing, loved to travel and never met a stranger. Alice worked in retail until she married Maurice H. Ernst and settled in St. Augustine. Upon his death she then learned to drive a three on the tree 1963 Valiant station wagon at the age of 45 and drove this car until the 1970’s. She was also a talented seamstress, made both clothing for herself, Suzanna, and doll clothing. She went back to work in the retail field and worked until she was in her late 70’s. She was remarried in 1968 to Perry W. Gills and they were both longtime friends of Bill W., with Alice being a friend for over 63 years. Alice was predeceased by her brothers, Edwin, Richard and Steven St. John; sisters, Eleanor St. John Palmes and Ruth St. John Christano Lamb; her husbands, Maurice H. Ernst and Perry W. Gills; and granddaughter Erica Ernst Bandy. She is survived by her son, Marc A. Ernst (Susan), daughter, Suzanna E. Schuyler Vetter, granddaughter Erin Ernst, grand-son in law Tony Bandy, niece Sharon St. John Fussel (Eleanor), Vincent, William Hugh and Joy St. John Johnson (Richard), Caleb St. John (Steven), Chris, Chase, and Garth Palmes (Eleanor), Peter Christano (Ruth) and numerous great-great grandnieces and nephews. A Memorial Service in celebration of Alice’s life will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 3:00 PM at St Johns Family Funeral Home with Rev. Glen McCutcheon officiating. In keeping with the CDC Coronavirus guidelines every attendee must wear a mask and the number of attendees may be restricted. We ask that if you are at high risk, feeling ill, or traveling from an area with a high level of infection, please do not attend the service. Those unable to attend can view the service live streamed by clicking on the following link https://iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/549019 . St. John’s Family Funeral Home is in Charge of arrangements.