Ernestine P. White

Troy - Ernestine Pauline Willingham-White affectionately known as "Tina or Teeny", was born on November 15th, 1936 in Allendale, South Carolina to Delos Willingham and Pauline Aiken-Willingham. Ernestine transitioned into eternal rest on December 24th, 2023.

Ernestine was the last living founder of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She was two years old when the church was founded in 1938, in Red Hook, New York, years later she went on to become the Secretary of Mt. Olive Baptist Church under Revered Odell Wesley Surgick.

Ernestine was educated in the Albany City School District, after graduating from Albany High School, she continued her education at Hudson Valley Community College, where she earned her Associate's Degree. She worked for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicle for Thirty Two years, retiring in 2010.

Mrs. Ernestine Willingham-White served as a Tenant Commissioner on the Albany Housing Board from 1979 to 1996. During her tenure she also served on the Urban Initiative Board with the late Mayor Erastus Corning.

Ernestine was a nationally recognized advocate for Senior Citizens in Public Housing. She testified on numerous occasions before Congressman Gonzalez's Committee on a broad range of issues. Ernestine was credited with having a substantial impact on renovations of Thacher Homes, the Creation of Steamboat Square and numerous social and recreation opportunities for senior citizens in Albany. She was a member of the Community Accountability Board which was created as an alternative for incarceration for the youth in the County of Albany. In 2003 - The Executive Director Steve Longo and The Albany Housing Authority Honored Ernestine for her tireless work and dedication.

Ernestine enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She participated in numerous activities such as bowling and softball and also established a traveling drill team and softball team. She was a well known figure in the community which lead many people to come and ask for "Mrs. White" for her support for political office.

Ernestine was preceded in death by parents Delos and Pauline Willingham, her son Hiawatha White Jr., and her siblings Delos Jr., Joanne, Herbert, Mattie Julia, Mary Marie, and Davis Willingham.

Ernestine leaves to mourn her children Renee' Clay-Chalmers (Lionel), Claudette White, Shay White (Jeff), Darrien White (Bernice), Devon Jones (Marleen), Delos White; and siblings LeRoy James (Aliki-Lee), John, Benjamin, Elijah (Wanda), Violet Gould, and sister in law Suzette Willingham, twenty grandchildren and a host of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The Family would like to give a special thank you to the entire staff at St. Peter's Hospice Care.

Calling hours are Friday, January 5th, 2024 at 12PM at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church 236 North Pearl Street Albany, New York 12207.

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