Ernestine Dukes Williams Thompson

Ernestine Dukes Williams Thompson, 90, of Bartlesville, OK, passed away Wednesday night, December 20, 2023, at Ascension St. John Medical Center, in Tulsa, OK.

Ernestine was born August 25, 1933, to the late Moses Dukes and Ida Hayes Dukes at Manning, South Carolina. She attended the Rosenwald School and was a member of the Pine Grove A.M.E. Church.  Ernestine then moved to Troy, New York where she attended the Urban Center to further her education.  She joined the Bethel Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Stinney, where she sang in the choir as well as other duties.

Ernestine was united in marriage to the late Willie Williams and to this union one son was born, Herbert Williams.  She was employed at the Wynanskill School for Girls 13-17 and O.D. Heck Developmental for the county.  Ernestine returned to Columbia, South Carolina where she was united in marriage to Earl Thompson from Bartlesville, Oklahoma and returned with her new husband to Bartlesville where they were members of Bethel AME Church of Bartlesville, OK. She served as a church stewardess there for many years. 

She is survived by a sister Phosia Mae Johnson; two grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and very special friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Earl; a son Herbert Williams; five brothers Horace, Julius, Burnett, Lee, and Mose Dukes; two sisters Rozella Murray and Susie Williams.

Funeral services will be held Friday December 29, at 11:00 am in the chapel of Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home with Rev. Willie Robinson officiating.  Interment will follow in Bartlesville’s White Rose Cemetery under the direction of Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home and Cremation Service.  Visitation will be held Thursday December 28^th from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm. The family will be present to greet visitors from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.   To send an online condolence, visit www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com.

The family would like to thank the fine staff at Bartlesville Health & Rehab Center for the quality care Ernestine received.