Jessie M. Langston

Mrs. Jessie M. Langston, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin and friend went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 after a lengthy illness at the age of 79 years. She was born on August 16, 1934 in Alberta, AL to Essie Templin Williams Cunningham and Rev. Moses Williams, Jr. Jessie attended Holy Family High School in Birmingham, AL. She received an Associate Degree from Miles College in Birmingham, AL. She moved to Saginaw, MI in 1963 where she remained for the balance of her life. In her early career, she was a substitute Special Education teacher at Henry Doerr Elementary School. She later became a personnel clerk for the Department of Social Services until her retirement. Jessie was a faithful member of Zion Missionary Baptist Church for over 51 years until her illness. She was Director of the Male and Gospel Choirs for many years. She was also a lead singer with the Gospel Choir. She was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, an ACT-SO parent volunteer, a member of the NAACP and a volunteer for various other charity organizations and events. Mrs. Langston leaves to cherish precious memories, her husband, Louis H. Langston; three daughters and three sons, Angela (Joel) Williams, Westbrook (Greta) Walker, Dr. Marcellus (Christina) Walker, Earnestine Denise Walker, Demetrius (Brandi) Walker, Pastor Tameka (Pastor Darryl) Buggs; three step-children, Diane Madden, Joanne Langston and Vernon (April) Langston; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; niece, Lilly Bell; nephews, Craig (Earnestine) Smiley, Jr., Michael Smiley, Sr., Christy Smiley (Mamie) and Glen (Robyn) Smiley, Sr.; cousins, Walter (Margaret) LaShore, Eric LaShore, Satonya (Alfred) Randolf, Carl Mosley, Barbara Anderson and Edgar Anderson; four sisters-in-law, Evelyn Bodie, Juanita Goosby, Muriel Herron and Quang Stubbs; one brother-in-law, James Langston; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Essie and Eddie Cunningham; father, Rev. Moses Williams, Jr.; step-mothers, Leortis Carter Williams and Gertrude Williams; grandmother, Mary Anderson; brothers, Claude Early and Lee Mack Stubbs; sister, Barbara Jean Smiley; step-daughter, Louisa Morris; aunt, Eleanor Lewis; cousins, Junior and Edna Anderson; mother and father-in-law, Lester and Jessie Langston; and brother-in-law, Rev. Craig Smiley. Family hour will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 18, 2014 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 721 Johnson Street, with the funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Rodrick A. Smith will officiate with interment in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Sunday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Jessie M. Langston

August 16, 1934 - August 12, 2014