I was sad to hear that my classmate Rhodessa Stinger had passed away. Rhodessa and I attended summer school at McClatchy Senior High one summer. 0n our long walks home we would stop by Gunthers Ice Cream a buy an ice cream cone. I will miss the presence of my friend here on earth. – Diane Buffington
Rhodessa O. Stinger fondly known as “Gertie Ruth” was born in Sacramento, CA. She relocated to the Bay Area in 1965 where she lived until her passing.
She joined Soka Gakkai International – USA in 1985, as Buddhist which she practiced until she closed her eyes for the final time. Rhodessa joined Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192 September 1979. She was employed by Alameda-Contra Costa Transit in July of 1979 until retirement 2010. In 2006 she was the second black female bus driver elected Vice President of ATU Local 192. She completed the Labor studies Program at Laney College in Oakland, CA.
Rhodessa was a Union Activist, a Labor Organizer who worked with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 250 organizing campaigns in the Northern Bay Area to increase worker’s rights. She was an elected delegate to Alameda Central Labor Council. Rhodessa was an active member of the International Women’s Caucus.
She leaves behind a daughter Verrell Abels-Smith, 4 grandchildren Olivia A. Chapman, Oliver A. Champan IV, Sherrell D. Smith, Shelahn A. Smith, 2 great grandchildren Omariah A. Branch, Carson R. King, and a goddaughter Shilandra D. Welchen and a host of other relatives and friends.**
**Resource: Obituary program provided by Vann L. Walker
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic a private Celebration of Life was held for Rhodessa.
Georgene Moroni (Alegre)
😢💔🙏🏻
Diane Blanchard (Buffington)
I was sad to hear that my classmate Rhodessa Stinger had passed away. Rhodessa and I attended summer school at McClatchy Senior High one summer. 0n our long walks home we would stop by Gunthers Ice Cream a buy an ice cream cone. I will miss the presence of my friend here on earth. – Diane Buffington
Rhodessa O. Stinger fondly known as “Gertie Ruth” was born in Sacramento, CA. She relocated to the Bay Area in 1965 where she lived until her passing.
She joined Soka Gakkai International – USA in 1985, as Buddhist which she practiced until she closed her eyes for the final time. Rhodessa joined Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192 September 1979. She was employed by Alameda-Contra Costa Transit in July of 1979 until retirement 2010. In 2006 she was the second black female bus driver elected Vice President of ATU Local 192. She completed the Labor studies Program at Laney College in Oakland, CA.
Rhodessa was a Union Activist, a Labor Organizer who worked with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 250 organizing campaigns in the Northern Bay Area to increase worker’s rights. She was an elected delegate to Alameda Central Labor Council. Rhodessa was an active member of the International Women’s Caucus.
She leaves behind a daughter Verrell Abels-Smith, 4 grandchildren Olivia A. Chapman, Oliver A. Champan IV, Sherrell D. Smith, Shelahn A. Smith, 2 great grandchildren Omariah A. Branch, Carson R. King, and a goddaughter Shilandra D. Welchen and a host of other relatives and friends.**
**Resource: Obituary program provided by Vann L. Walker
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic a private Celebration of Life was held for Rhodessa.
Sherry Rose (Alston)
To the family, I am sorry for your loss. I was friends with Rhodessa during our high school years. I remember Rhodessa as being a very nice person.
Barbara Puntillo
RIP Rhodessa. You lived a good life. Thanks for your contributions.
Kathy O'Brien Bristol
So sorry to hear that Rhodessa has passed. I remember her at our 50th class reunion. RIP
Vanetta Rose-(Johnson)
Sorry to hear about Rhodesia. Wonderful person all through school. She will be missed.Tonna Boyette
So nice to see that Rhodessa had a nice fruitful life. She was always so nice. Tonna Boyette