OBITUARIES

Lola Ree Tate

SUNRISE 04/23/1920

SUNSET 07/17/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Lola Ree Tate was born in Forest, Mississippi on April 23, 1920, to Viola and Elijah Denham. She is one of four children. She had three brothers. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 12 and was baptized by Rev. J.J. Overstreet, Pastor of Concord Baptist Church. She received her education at the local schools in Forest, Mississippi.

On May 15, 1935, Lola met Robert P. Tate, and on December 4, 1939, they got married in Jasper, Alabama. Lola and Robert resided there until 1942 when Robert was called to active duty in the United States Army. After he was called to active duty, they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and resided there from 1942 to 1950. Lola and Robert moved to San Diego, California in 1950 and united with Greater Trinity Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor W. L. Gayton. Lola served in various positions in the church. She organized the Visitation Committee, the B Sharp Organ Club, and taught Sunday School and Mission Lessons for the Esther Circle. Lola served as Vice President of the Mission. She served as Membership Clerk and Financial Secretary for twenty-two years. She was the personal Secretary to Pastor Gayton.

Lola was the last living member whose name is on Greater Trinity’s Cornerstone. She served at Greater Trinity Baptist Church faithfully until 2009, when Lola joined her son, Rev. Dr. Donald Owens at Exodus Church. Mother Lola Tate attended faithfully up to the age of 101, when her health would not permit her to attend. Lola was a charter member of the Agnes Knight Study Charity & Social Club and Honorary Charter Member of Exodus Church.

In 1957, Lola attended Grossmont School of Nursing and was the first African American Nurse at Grossmont Hospital. She spent her entire Nursing Career at Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, California until she retired in 1981 to care for her husband.

Lola was preceded in death by her husband Robert Paul Tate, her mother and father Elijah and Viola Denham, and her three brothers. Lola had no biological children.

She leaves to mourn her adopted son Rev. Dr. Donald (Beverly) Owens, grandchildren, Monee (Andre) Bell, Tanya Reynolds, Roman Owens (Andrea) and great-grandchildren; Aarrion Allison, NaJae Reynolds, Grayson Owens, Andre Bell Jr., and Monet Bell, cousins Rosa Davis (San Diego), Shirley Ann Wilson (San Diego), John E. Forte (Los Angeles), Henry C. Forte and Gregory Forte (San Diego), Brenda Pierce and Preston Pierce (San Diego), Danielle Jackson and Marley Jackson (New York), and a host of adopted children; Pearl (Ed) Andrews, Larry Wilson, Stephanie Wilson, Vermell Cannie, Cynthia Forsythe, Maretta Frierson, Dr. Mary Cannie, Princess (Daniel) Stewart, Donald Flemister, and many other young people who referred to her as Mother Tate. She also leaves behind her special friends, the 5:30 a.m. Gym Friends, her special friend Jackie, who did her nails, special friend Sis. Delores Caldwell and former landlord Thomas and residents at 415 D Street, Chula Vista, CA.

Ernest Lee

Lench, Sr.

SUNRISE 11/13/1969

SUNSET 07/09/2023

ARRANGEMENTS BY PREFERRED CREMATION & BURIAL MORTUARY

Ernest Lee Lench, Sr. was the son of Lillie M. Hicks and Norman A. Hicks. Ernest was born in Oakland, California in Highland Hospital on November 13, 1969. Ernest made his eternal transition on July 9, 2023 at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, California.

“Ern” spent his formative years in San Diego, where he attended Emerson and Baker Elementary School, as well as O’Farrell School of Creative and Performing Arts, excelling in dance and graphic arts. Ernest graduated from Clairemont High School in 1988.

He also participated in Lincoln Park Pop Warner football, Southeastern Little League, and high school football.

After high school, Ern ventured out to different cities including Oakland, California; Vincennes, Indiana; Melbourne, Florida; and Pensacola, Florida. In these areas, he developed skills of becoming a very creative chef and learned the art of maintenance on just about any object. He also crafted his passion of graphic arts in these areas.

Upon returning to San Diego in 2013, Ern held various jobs in the restaurant business, maintenance work, and professional auto detailing. Ernest was in the process of starting his own line of graphic art clothing line when he passed.

Ernest leaves this earth to his mother and father, four children: Ernest Lee Lench, Jr., Deonte Lench, Lyric Lench, and Iyesha Marion, two grandchildren: Rosabella Lench and Zion Lench, brother Charles Jones, Sr., several nieces and nephews, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. To mourn his passing includes life-long friends Jawanna Carter, Ramon Aguirre, Maria Regalbo, and Rodney McKinney.

Ernest was preceded in death by his younger brother Joseph A. Jones. Ernest, our son, you will be missed. Rest on Ern, in your spiritual journey.