Ernestine Whaley

“Anything is possible.” That is what Ernestine Whaley believed about life. She was a creative woman, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions. Ernestine thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. She possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Ernestine was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

Ernestine was born on July 15, 1952 at St. Joseph Louisana Hospital in St. Joseph, LA. Her parents were Mark James Mason and Mary Lene King. Ernestine was raised in North Las Vegas, Nevada. She showed her ingenuity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Ernestine could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Ernestine's family relationships. Ernestine was raised with 23 siblings. Her siblings names were Willie, Henery, Willie James, Percy, James, Rossevelt, Joseph, Clarence, Robert, Thomas, Nathaniel, Eddie, Molly, Jimmy Lee, Patarica, Theresa, Willie A, Jarry Dean, Mark & Regina. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Ernestine was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

As a young girl, Ernestine could be found building and inventing new and different things. She was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. Ernestine took part in baseball & track. She was in a dance club. In her spare time she liked drawing and painting.

Endowed with an appetite for knowing how her world worked, Ernestine enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Ernestine was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. She graduated from Racho High School in 1970. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Art.

Ernestine was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. Always interested in her friends’ activities and interests, Ernestine was uncritical of her acquaintances. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Ernestine to be very stimulating company. Ernestine's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. While growing up, some of her best friends were Cherry, Jackie, Cherrell, Dean, Butch, Theresa and Debbie.

On June 17, 1971 Ernestine exchanged wedding vows with Chrales Edward Whaley at At home at Aunt Tressie of Las Vegas, Nevada. Ernestine was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Ernestine was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Ernestine was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse’s needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Charles. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Ernestine loved to argue for argument’s sake. She was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Charles's.

Ernestine's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced her relationship with her children. She would create original, clever and fun games for her kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Ernestine was blessed with two children, Claudette Lavern and Charles Edwards Jr. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Jarnell, Patricia, Markell & Marquis. Someone who was quick to laugh, Ernestine found it easy to spend lots of time with her children, but she was never overbearing or guilty of pushing herself on them.

As a born inventor, Ernestine was definitely in her element in her work place. She could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Ernestine was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. She could assess all of the options before her and, using her analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Ernestine was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. Her primary occupation was cocktails. Ernestine always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

Ernestine's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for her. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Ernestine was always searching for new and unusual activities, she developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew her, but most friends and family understood that Ernestine simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. Her favorite pursuits were art and drawing.

Ernestine's calm demeanor and eternally positive outlook served her well in sports. In high school, Ernestine played girls baseball. Ernestine was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity.

Ernestine's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something she did throughout her life. She enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Ernestine could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing her novel ideas and problem solving strategies. In high school, Ernestine was a member of the AD Guy Center.

Faith and religion were important to Ernestine. She was Christian. During that time, she was was teaching her grandchildren.

With all of her talents, her ingenuity, her solutions and inventiveness, it is no surprise that Ernestine received public recognition for her competence. With the drive and ability to meet any challenge, Ernestine accumulated a long list of achievements throughout her life. She deserved an award for being the most supportive grandmother.

Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Ernestine. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Ernestine to expand her ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included going to California and down south.

Ernestine was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Ernestine's favorites was Her fish.

Ernestine passed away on March 27, 2010 at Nathan Addison Hospice. Ernestine fought a brave battle against cancer. She is survived by Claudette Lavern and Charles Whaley Sr. Services were held at Palm Mortuary. Ernestine was cremated.

During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Ernestine. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Ernestine was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. For Ernestine, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Ernestine Whaley, the fun of living her life could be found in the challenge.