Ernestine (Ellis) Young

On Saturday, December 25, 2021, God called home one of His most faithful servants, Ernestine (Ellis) Young.  She was born on June 2, 1949, the fifth child of the late Mary and Alexander Ellis Sr., in South Carolina. 

Ernestine graduated from Carver High School in Newport News, VA. 

In her youth, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Personal Savior and became a member of New Beach Grove Baptist Church in Newport News.  Later in her Christian walk she joined Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Williamsburg, VA.  She was a dedicated member of the church serving on the Pastors Aide Board.  You could always count on her smiling face at the entrance of the church as a door greeter, and you could hear her voice booming from the rafters in both the Gospel & Senior Choirs.  She honored God throughout her life and remained a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church until her passing.

She married the love of her life Addison Taliferro and unto that union, they were blessed with one daughter.  Together they raised their daughter LaDonna in a home full of love and laughter.  Although, they later divorced and both ultimately remarried, their unbreakable bond allowed them to remain close friends until the time of her death.

A born “caregiver” Ernestine began her career as a Nurse’s Assistant at Hampton General Hospital and continued through dedication and perseverance to advance her career.  She retired after more than thirty years of service as a phlebotomist.  Ernestine was one of the hardest working women in the healthcare field and later resumed working as a childcare provider and a private home health care provider.  She retired again in the winter of 2018, but still provided childcare service to family and friends. 

Ernestine was a loving mother, caring grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and committed follower of Christ. When you entered her home, you were family and treated as such.  Not only was she a wonderful cook, but she was also strong, feisty, beautiful, fun, and courageous.

Ernestine was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, one brother, and a special aunt and uncle, Moses & Elizabeth Grant who had a significant role in her upbringing.  Left to cherish her memories are her daughter, LaDonna Lynn Taliferro of Newport News, VA; sisters, Geraldine Davis (Charles) of Zebelon, NC and Eunice Hawkins of Louisburg, NC; grandchildren, X’Zavia Robinson and O’Shea Fulwood (Alexis); former husbands, Michael Young and Addison Taliferro; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 31, 2021, at Whiting's Funeral Home.  Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service. Ms. Young may be viewed on Friday beginning at 12:00 noon until the hour of her services.  Facial coverings are required for all services.

Professional services entrusted to the staff of Whiting's Funeral Home, 7005 Pocahontas Trail, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. 757-229-3011 whitingsfuneralhome.com

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