Ernestine T. Dickens

Obituary For Ernestine T. Dickens

With hearts full of sorrow and deep appreciation, we honor the life of Ernestine "Tina" Dickens a devoted wife, loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and steadfast friend. Born on August 28, 1951, at Harlem Hospital in New York City to the late Esther Thorpe and Garland Ragland, Tina's journey was defined by compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her family and community.

Tina's early years were spent in New York City, where she was educated at Junior High School 275, followed by her time at both Canarsie High School and Thomas Jefferson High School. Bright, determined, and thoughtful, she carried those qualities into every role she would play throughout her life.

Her professional journey began with the United States Postal Service where she discovered her love for filing and organizing. This discovery ultimately led her to The Bank of New York on Wall Street where she broke barriers with her intelligence, resilience, and work ethic in the data entry field. She had a brief stint with the U.S. Census until she answered her true calling in public service with the New York City Police Department, working in the 105th Precinct's 124 Room as a Police Administrative Assistant. There, she calmly and carefully took and wrote reports, offering professionalism, patience, and empathy to all who crossed her path. Her quiet strength and steady presence earned the respect of her colleagues and community alike.

After retiring, Tina relocated to North Carolina, where she fulfilled her dream of being closer to her youngest and proudly spoiled rotten son, Shareff.

Tina's greatest joy came from caring for others. Her nurturing spirit extended far beyond her own family. She was a second mother to countless neighborhood children offering warm meals, loving advice, and a firm but fair hand. To many, she was simply "Ma," and her home was a refuge of safety, laughter, and love.

Tina was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Charles M. Dickens, who passed away on January 27, 1990, and her cherished son, Tyrone Thorpe, who passed on September 14, 2021. Though their loss left a deep void, Tina carried their memory with strength and grace.

She is survived by her sisters Rosalind D. Thorpe and Mary J. Scott, and her brother Benjamin F. Blount; her children Alicia D. Dickens, Mark D. Thorpe, and Shareff C. Dickens; her daughters-in-law Diane D. Dickens, her son-in-law Daniel Crothers, and her sister-in-law France Dickens and Stephine Wood.

Her legacy continues through her treasured grandchildren: DeVante M. Johnson, Charles W. Dickens, Tyleyah M. Dickens, Shareff C. Dickens Jr., Mia'Asiah S. Dickens, Cain Trollinger, Emery I. Keel, and Haven T. Crothers; as well as her great-grandchildren: Tyrone T. Thorpe Jr., Omari Thorpe, and Tylon Thorpe.

She also leaves behind a loving tribe of nieces and nephews: LaTika Thorpe, Makeeva Scott, Ebony Nelson, Tanesha Thorpe, Te'resa Stokes, Zakiyyah Abdulfattaah, John Scott, Malik Scott, Lamar Tait, Darnale Collins, Lloyd Nelson, Guy Baxter, Banjoko Correll, Azikiwe Smith, Ajamu Smith, Al-Hassan Abdulfattaah, and Umar Abdulfattaah; along with 18 great-nieces and nephews and 5 great-great-nieces and nephews.

Tina was a woman whose strength didn't shout it stood firm. She led with love, walked in quiet confidence, and believed in the power of community, family, and faith. Her wisdom was gentle, her laughter contagious, and her presence irreplaceable.

Though she has departed this world, Tina's spirit lives on in every life she touched, every lesson she taught, and every heart she held close.

She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Her legacy is everlasting.