Johnnie Lee DeBardelaben

Mrs. Johnnie Lee DeBardelaben, our beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, cousin and friend was called home Monday, May 18, 2015 at home at the age of 91. She was born June 19, 1923 in Haynesville, Alabama, the daughter of Tommy Lee and Mary (Williams) Benson. Mrs. Johnnie DeBardelaben was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Corinthian Baptist Church and Christ Disciples Miracle Center. She was active in the church Missionary Department and loved to attend the National Baptist Congress. Johnnie Lee was a homemaker, television sports advocate and an awesome cook who loved to spend time with her loving family, friends and love ones. Mrs. Johnnie Lee DeBardelaben leaves to cherish her memory, 2 daughters and 3 sons, Donald (Idilla Marie) DeBardelaben, Annette (Lewis) Williams, Willie DeBardelaben, Jr., all of Saginaw, MI, Rosemary Allen of Detroit, MI and Patrick DeBardelaben of West Colombia, TX; daughter-in-law, Genevieve Benson of Saginaw, MI; 16 grandchildren, Edward Joseph Benson, Erving Jonathan Benson, Ellison Jerome Benson, Rodney Green, James Lee DeBardelaben, Andrea DeBardelaben, Ryan Maggitt, Ronnita Allen, Anthony W. DeBardelaben, Antony J. DeBardelaben, Shemia Patrice DeBardelaben, Bernita Baker, Tawanda Lockett, Quentin Ridley, Anita DeBardelaben and Willie DeBardelaben III; 32 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Minnie Benson, Rosie White and Polly Benson, all of Montgomery, AL; 2 brothers, Clifford Benson of Tampa, FL and Harrison Lewis of Saginaw, MI; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends including special friends, Louise Reynolds, Bobbie Wingard, Dorothy Clayton, Lillian Bishop and Mozell Reed. Mrs. DeBardelaben was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years Willie Mack DeBardelaben; 2 sons, Bernard DeBardelaben and Eddie Benson; parents, Tommy Lee and Mary (Williams) Benson; 2 brothers, Charlie and Douglass Benson; 2 sisters, Wilsie McCall and Irene Welch. The family would like to express special thanks to Angie DeBardelaben, Rosemary Gipson, as well as Anita DeBardelaben, Vera DeBardelaben and Anthony DeBardelaben for showing very special attention and love toward her. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at Corinthian Baptist Church, 104 South 10th Street. Pastor Roy L. Manning will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Tuesday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. where the family will be present for a family hour from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m.

Johnnie Lee DeBardelaben

June 19, 1923 - May 18, 2015