Earnest J. White Sr. 1932-2023
YOUNGSTOWN — Earnest J. White Sr., 90, of Trumbull Avenue, Youngstown, departed this life at 5:17 a.m. Thursday, June 1, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Earnest Sr. was born June 22, 1932, in Hayneville, Ala., the son of Morris and Melba Watts White, where his passion for working began as a child farmer.
Earnest Sr. married the love of his life, Lenora Kelly, on Nov. 2, 1952, prior to coming to this area in 1957.
Their 70-year union was blessed with 10 children, Earnest J. White Jr. and Edward J. (Beverly) White of Kings Mountain, N.C., Bernard (Diane) White and Regina A. (Edwin) Lloyd of Princeton, N.J., Myeellia E. (Gary) Carter, Sabrina (George) Williams, Thomas M. White and Cynthia (Calvin) Whitman of Hermitage, Pa., and Shauna M. White of Columbus; an adopted granddaughter, Shanise M. White; two special daughters-in-law, Kaylor M. White and Roslyn Greenwood; 28 grandchildren and a multitude of great-grandchildren; siblings, Lucy Boyd and Charles White of Youngstown, Beverly J. (Al) Neal of Kings Mountain, N.C.; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Darnell White; his godson, Jeffrey Phillips; his sisters, Dorothy Grant and Willie Nell Anderson; and brothers, Johnny J. White and Morris J. White.
Ernie, as he was affectionately called by his co-workers, retired from Youngstown State University after 38 years serving as the superintendent of maintenance, retiring in August 1992. After retirement, he returned to work at Johnny’s Tire for 10 years and then finished his career at City Center One.
He attended Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, where he came to know the Lord, raised his children and served as a deacon and trustee.
Over the years, Earnest Sr. displayed his kind, giving and loving spirit for so many by always giving what he had to those who had a need, and extending his home to so many who needed a home. He loved people.
Earnest Sr., also known to his family as “Reddi-Go” because of his love for traveling, also enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends.
Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2023, at L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home. Calling hours will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, Struthers, with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m.
Services of love and dignity entrusted to L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home.
(special notice)