Ms. Olevia Houston

On July 18, 2023 Olevia Houston, age 86 was called home to be with God. Olevia was born on November 26, 1936 to her loving parents Tom and Ola Nelson in Dekalb, Mississippi. She would be the 10th of 11 children. After spending her primary education years in Mississippi and helping out on the family farm raising chickens, hogs, and gardening, young Olevia moved to Matthews, Missouri soon after both of her parents had passed away to live with her older sister. It was also during that time when Olevia met and fell in love with Leroy Houston, they married and raised 7 children together in Saginaw, Michigan. A significant turning point in Olevia’s life came when she attended a new church revival lead by Rev. Hurley Coleman Sr. of Johnson Street Missions. She was so moved by the service and ready for change that she gave her life over to God on September 7, 1957 and became one the founding members of the church that would later relocate and be named Coleman’s Temple Church of God In Christ “the little church with the big heart.” Olevia spent over 65 years as a dedicated woman of God and loyal servant to her church home. She became the very first church secretary and continued to work in that position for over 8 years. She also served as the Vice President of the Young Women’s Christian Council for over 4 years and Sunday School teacher to the young children. For over 10 years she served as one of the cooks in the kitchen helping prepare mouth-watering meals that would satisfy hungry stomachs after soul-stirring morning worship services. She was also a member of the choir and actively involved in various auxiliaries such as Home & Foreign Missions and The Prayer & Bible Band. Throughout the decades when she was not home being a full-time wife and mother, Olevia worked as a Housekeeper for Health Source Community Hospital where she retired after 25 years of employment and later completed her position at American Maintenance after 8 years of employment. Olevia has demonstrated to multiple generations in her family, friends, church, and community-at-large through her acts of leadership and genuine kind-heartedness what it means to be loyal, dedicated, and committed to building the kingdom of God here on earth. Preceded in death by her parents, Tom & Ola Nelson; nine siblings, Edwina, Annie Jean, Rudolph, Johnnie, Jack, TJ, Lorine, & Lavone Nelson; two children, Leroy Jr. and Peggy; one grandchild, Michael. Her legacy of life continues through her eight children, Loray (Kenneth Sr.) Haynes, Lisa Houston, Freddie (Deanna) Clark, Wayne Houston, Wade Houston, Brittany Houston, Porcha Houston, Brandy Houston; son-in-law, Eric Owens; 23 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; two siblings Andrew and Albert Nelson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Lifelong friends Victoria Powell (predeceased) Dr. Georgia Conic, Ernestine Martin, Hattie Ray, Levater Houston, Ora Houston, Lillian Newsome, and Joshua Hughes; special niece Alma Clark; lastly; her beloved pet Coco. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at World Outreach Campus, 2405 Bay Rd., Saginaw, MI 48602. Bishop Designate Hurley J. Coleman, Jr. will officiate. Interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607 on Friday, from 2:00-6:00 p.m.

Ms. Olevia Houston

November 26, 1936 - July 18, 2023