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Feb. 5, 1923- March 14, 2015

LOS ANGELES — Services for Ernestine Josephine McNealy, 92, who died Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Sunray Healthcare Center in Los Angeles, were Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Los Angeles.

Arrangements were under the direction of Spalding Mortuary in Los Angeles.

Affectionately known as “mama,” “mom,” and “gamma,” Ernestine Dorsey was born Feb. 5, 1923, in Natchez, the daughter of Granderson Williams and Agnes Dorsey.

A “cradle Catholic,” Ernestine was baptized at Holy Family Catholic Church shortly after birth. She would continue to be a devout Catholic for the remainder of her life.

Ernestine had one beloved sister, Willie Mary Parker, who preceded her in death. Following the tragic death of her mother in the Rhythm Nightclub fire, April 23, 1940, Ernestine continued her education and graduated from St. Francis Catholic School.

After graduation, she worked at the local five-and-dime store until she met and married Lawrence Sykes, who also preceded her in death. To that union was born four children, Lawrence Jr., Mary Agnes, John and Ameenah. She later moved to New Orleans where she united with Aaron McNealy, the love of her life. To this union was born three children, Kenneth, Audrey and Ardina. Together they relocated to Los Angeles in 1960. Aaron and Ernestine were together 55 years until his death in 2008.

Ernestine was a valued employee of Thrifty Deluxe Cleaners and Lockhead-Martin Aircraft. She worked for more than 30 years before her much deserved retirement.

Upon her relocation to Los Angeles, she joined St. Agnes Catholic Church. When her family moved to the Chesterfield Square area in 1968, she joined St. Brigid Catholic Church. She faithfully served with a number of ministries including the altar society, the Monday night prayer group, neighbor-to-neighbor ministry, Wednesday night soup, salad and scripture, ministry through prayer and the purple hat ministry. She was actively involved in these ministries until declining health prevented her from participating.

Ernestine had a strong commitment to her “church family” and loved to attend all their functions and activities. Following her retirement, she began attending evening mass during the week with her friend, Ianthe Hughes, where they prayed the rosary prior to the mass.

Her other interests included casino bus trips, traveling to see family, going to Los Angeles Dodgers games and watching the Los Angeles Lakers — especially Kobe Bryant, “her boy.”

Ernestine loved music and dancing, attending and throwing great parties. She was a great cook and made the best gumbo this side of the Mississippi. She was an avid TV fan, especially of the Price is Right with Bob Barker, Steve Harvey who made her laugh, Judge Judy, other court TV shows and the Lifetime Movie Network.

She was also preceded in death by one stepson, Aaron McNealy Jr.

Survivors include seven children, Lawrence Sykes Jr. and wife, Alice, Mary Agnes Jackson, John Sykes, Ameenah Rabihah Majeed, Kenneth McNealy, Audrey Houston and Ardina Bolton; 15 grandchildren, Lisa Sykes, Dana Jackson, Lauren Lewis and husband, Mike, Lindsay Sykes, LaDonna Farrow and husband, Marcus, Francina Jackson, Nicholas Williams, Nicole Sykes, Chandler Sykes, Karl Sykes and wife, Olga, Fatimah Pleasant, Robbie Cabaong and husband, Brandon Reynolds, Bernard Brown and wife, Alicia, Jessica Bolton and Jackolynn Bolton; 15 great-grandchildren, Connie and husband, Justin, Courtney and husband, Jamikko Sr., Essence, Jordan, Mikaylah, Cari, Donald, Jasmine, Tony Jr., Julian, Mark Anthony, Nola, Emery, Sean Aaron and Nylee Wilson; four great-great-grandchildren, Skyla, Jamikko Jr., Jamiya and Hunter; one stepdaughter, Bertha O’Neal and husband, John; three nephews, Leon Hollins III, Raymond Dorsey and Earl Robinson; a cousin, Wilma “Kitty” Cochran and husband, Ben, and their family; and a number of other relatives, special friends and her church family.