Ernestine Kinsey

October 30, 1928 - September 24, 2020

Ernestine Stewart Kinsey of Wilmington, NC, formerly of Bolivar, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Bradley Creek Assisted Living. She is preceded in death by her husband James Woodrow Kinsey. Ernestine was born October 30, 1928 to Harold and Elva Stewart and graduated from Bolivar High School in 1946. She later attended Southwest Baptist College, earning an Associate’s Degree. She then worked for the Polk County Welfare Office during the 1950’s. In the early 1960’s she attended then Southwest Missouri State earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Starting in 1964, she entered the Bolivar School System teaching first as an Elementary School teacher before moving to Mitchell Junior High School. During this time, she earned a Master’s Degree from Drury College. She remained at this position until her retirement in 1993. While Ernestine’s avocation resided in the teaching profession, her true passion consisted of Democrat politics. Her first exposure to politics started with her Father, who was local party chairman in Bolivar who was always involved in local and state elections. Later she elevated her political stature running successfully as a national delegate to the Democratic Convention in 1980 in New York City. Some 28 years later she again ran as a national delegate to the Democratic Convention in Denver. It was her hope that her example as a delegate in 1980 would inspire other women to become active in politics. Ernestine is survived by her sister Harlene Esther of Bolivar, a son Tim (Cynthia Bowers) Wilmington, and their children, Rachael Kinsey of Wilmington, Jacob Kinsey of Virginia, and Rebecca Kinsey Angel of South Bend Indiana, two great grandchildren, Jason and Kyuss and a niece Roberta Doke of Bolivar. A visitation for Ernestine will be held from 11-12 pm, Friday, October 2 at Butler Chapel in Bolivar, MO with funeral services at 12 pm at the Butler Chapel and Graveside memorial following the service at Greenwood Cemetery.