Obituary

On the Friday morning of February 21st, 1947 a Beautiful set of twins were born in Tulsa, Ok to Naomi (Barnett) Ray and Ernest Ray who both has preceded her in death. They affectionately named them Ernestine Mildred and Ernest Milton Ray. Ernestine received all of her education here in Tulsa, Ok by attending Anderson Elementary and graduating with the Booker T. Washington Hornets class of 1967. Yeah, she was a Hornet for all you Booker T. fans and alumni. Ernestine was christened at a young age and a lifetime member of The St. Paul AME church. Soon Ernestine relocated to Chicago, IL where she met, fell in love, and married her husband James Clair Harvey who also has preceded her. To this union their two and only two children Rolanda Harvey and Roland Lamont Harvey were both born in Chicago but now both reside here in Tulsa. They are not twins. We just think she named us like that because she was a twin. While in Chicago she worked for The Sweetheart Corporation for over 25 years and served on the board for The Chicago Boys and Girls Club until she relocated back to Oklahoma to be closer to her mother Naomi and family. She was so close to the point that she lived in a house right next door to her mother. She became The Assistant Director for about 10 years with her mother’s nursery Sugar N’ Spice Daycare that was located on Apache and Garrison. She nurtured, provided the best of care, and played a crucial part in the upbringing of so many children. To this day if she saw them they knew who she was and still remember how sweet she was but also remember a spanking she may have given them as a child. She did not play when it came to training a child in the way he should go so that when he grows up he does not go astray. Proverbs 22:6. She gained employment with Hillcrest Hospital in the housekeeping department where she was employed until her retirement. Instead of doing absolutely nothing after retirement she joined the Chamberlain Community Park staff where she served on the Advisory Board for 20 plus years. She helped organize a numerous amount of community give aways, Holiday celebrations pot lucks, and so much more.

While being a member of Chamberlain she gained a best friend Bertha (friends for over 25 years) who oversaw a Ceramic class that was held at Chamberlain. She joined and found one of her biggest passions in Ceramics so much that she faithfully attended those classes EVERY Tuesday for the entire 20 plus years she was a member. She would be so upset if she was late. She loved her Ceramics. She would make, paint, and sell anything you could think of including the most beautiful angels that most probably have in their houses to this day. Ernestine was a queen, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, and best friend that never met a stranger. She had a huge giving heart and she believed in showing love to anyone she could. She would give the shirt off her back if you needed it or even her last piece of chicken if you were hungry. She lived her life off the fact that God will take care of you. She was always giving someone something and it always came back to her 10x fold. During her younger years she loved to dance to the electric slide. She could out dance anyone. She always loved celebrations and family gatherings with lots of people and lots of food. She loved cooking and trying different recipes. It could be just a party of five, but she would cook for fifty and she kept hundreds and hundreds of recipes that she’d found in magazines. She didn’t believe in throwing anything away unless she absolutely had to. It could be something as simple as an empty Kentucky fried chicken bucket, yet she would wash it and put it in store with other dishes.

On Sunday April 28th God said the race has been won. Her new home is prepared for her to move in so he came and escorted her for check in. She has been set free from all worries, hurt and pain. She will be waiting in Heaven for her only daughter Rolanda Harvey and only son Roland Lamont Harvey. Three grandchildren Jarvis, Kennitra and Kenneth Harvey, two Great grandchildren Jaxton Lee(Jax) and Patience Joan (PayPay). She loved them so so much and would have the biggest smile whenever she would see them. However with a stern face and a pointed Index finger she’d always give them a strict teaching before leaving. Two sisters Vivian A. Tucker and Blance Dee Dee Mayo, 1 surviving brother Louis Ray, 2 Brother in Laws, Ernest Tucker and Anthony Mayo. Nieces. Valerie, Ashley, Antoinette (Toni) Nicole(Nikki). Katrina Newman and Teresa Newman. Nephews, Dameon Ray, Derek Ray, Anthony Mayo Jr, Isaiah Washington, Dwight Harvey and Lester Harvey. Two very special and dear to her heart friends for over 50 years Helen Young of Chicago and Bertha Thomas of Tulsa for over 25 years, extended nieces and nephews, and a whole bunch of cousins, family, and friends all across the United States. She will truly be missed. One of her favorite scriptures is Matthew 19:26 With GOD all things are possible.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home from 1pm-5pm.

Services will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 at World Won at 10AM.