Seneca Whitney Turner

Seneca Whitney Turner, also known as Whitney by family and close friends, was born September 2, 1965, in Los Angeles, to the union of Edwina Bell Washington Turner and Seneca B. Turner, Jr. He was the sole male sibling of four sisters and was apt to remind anyone with whom he spoke. After attending LA public schools up to 8th grade, he moved to Chicago and graduated from Kenwood Academy High School in 1983. It was at this point he proclaimed he was a “blue collar” worker, with no interest or desire in attending college. Returning to LA, he enrolled in Los Angeles Trade Technical-College.

He held numerous jobs during his lifetime, including forklift operator, Warehouseman, airline baggage handler, vocational instructor, security person, installing air conditioners, etc. and at the time of his passing he was an Uber driver. Whitney was the kind of man that chose jobs that, when possible, gave him the greatest amount of freedom, and least supervision. An avid chess player, he was considered good and loved playing the game.

In 1992, he married Tannisha Ross; they had a lovely daughter, Kaila, about whom he spoke with love and enormous pride. He could evince a disarming persona and was generally viewed favorably by his peers.

He remained close to his mother and cared for her the last months of her life. His sense of humor was often infectious, and he enjoyed laughter. Over the years, he frequently called his father, asking him to “tell me a story, dad.” They would laugh together and start their day.

He was curious and unafraid to ask questions about anything that interested him.

Whitney was, in heart, mind and deep essence, a California native who expressed and exemplified the great freedom that is so much an element of that region of America. In a word, he was a grass roots California “dude.” This is true even though he moved with ease in other venues.

His mother gave birth to him while the fires of the Watts uprising were still smoldering, thus he projected a kind of restless intensity that so underscores that historic event in Black struggle. He often moved to the sound of a different drum. His mother often attributed some unorthodox action to, “the universe is speaking to him,” especially his oppositional acts.

In sum, Whitney was a sensitive, caring member of the tribe and he will be missed by those who loved him; so now his journey has begun. He leaves to mourn his passing: his father, Seneca B. Turner, Jr, stepmother, Sister Sahirah Odinga, daughters Kaila Turner, and Alayah Byers , a son, Terrione Gaither, sisters: Veronica Washington, Julie Washington, Erica Turner and Anitra Hampton, uncles: Quint Turner, Wayne Turner, Edward Bell, nephews: Brandon Turner, Quint Turner, Jr., cousins: Denise Cabaong, Elizabeth Bell Haynes, Lyndon Bell, Barton Bell, another stepmother, Janice Rose, longtime friends and companions Krishna McCain, Joe Quattlebaum and a host of other relatives and friends, including Brother Jalal (Julius) Sudan, who knew Brother Whitney all his life and loved him.

Preceding Whitney in death was his mother Edwina Turner, uncle Charles Lawrence Turner, nephew Ivison Washington, Grandmothers: Lester Turner Allen, Rubyline Douglas, Grandfathers: Seneca B. Turner, Sr., and Harry E. Douglas.