Mr. Jimmie Lee "Bilal" Pritchett Jr.

Mr. Jimmie Lee Pritchett, Jr. passed away Friday, December 15, 2017 at the age of 71 years. He was born May 25, 1946 in Union Springs, Alabama the son of Lee Ellen Williams and Jimmie Lee Pritchett, Sr. As the oldest of 10 children; he was always hard-working and studious. Jimmie was a great athlete and his fondest memories came from his years at Carver High School where he graduated in 1964. He enlisted into the United States Air Force at the age of 18 where he played football, ran track and boxed, all while serving as an Air Force policeman. After leaving the Air Force, he earned a full ride football scholarship to Alabama State University where he played football for the mighty Hornets. In 1969 he came to Saginaw Michigan where he became a Muslim and met his beautiful wife of 47, years Mary Helen Strong. Jimmie worked as a Journeyman Electrician for General Motors and later became a Master Electrician and Licensed Contractor. He went on to open his own business, Pritchett Electric where he specialized in both domestic and commercial electrical services. Although Jimmie was multi-talented, his greatest passion was cooking. Around Saginaw and many other places across the nation, he was known as Bilal the Cajun fried turkey man. He opened a restaurant and a mobile food truck in which he served his delicious bean pie and Cajun fried turkey. Jimmie was known and loved by many and also was a great public speaker. He spent his years after retirement writing poetry and reminiscing about the stories of yesteryear to everyone that he met. The foundation of his character was rooted in generosity, selflessness, compassion, social activism and respect for all. He was also a walking encyclopedia of theology and world history with a passionate concentration on the history of the African diaspora. Mr. Jimmie Lee Pritchett, Jr. leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Mary Helen Pritchett of Saginaw, MI; daughter, Tahisha (Jamarr) Cogle of Saginaw, MI; three sons, Enos (Tammy) Pritchett of Nacogdoches, TX, Esau (Jeanett) Pritchett of New York, NY and Ahmad Rashad Pritchett of Saginaw, MI; six grandchildren, Miles Julius, Cole Xavier, Parker Ali, Avery Elise, Zoey Elexa and Amira Imoye Cogle; four sisters, Theresa (Marvin) Plowden of Saginaw, MI, Sakeenah Sadrud-Din of Montgomery, AL, Zoe Lee (Michael) Randolph and Bettye Ann O’Hara, both Union Spring, AL; three brothers, Sylvester (Ethel Mae) Pritchett of Eufala, AL, Roy and Curtis (Valerie) Pritchett, both of Union Spring, AL; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends including Dock Strong, James Martin, Gene Reid, Mary Sumrow, Edna Williams, Coach Patterson and the entire Carver High School “Class of 1964”. Mr. Pritchett was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie Lee and Lee Ellen Pritchett, Sr.; two sisters, Mary Ellen Pritchett and Katherine Oates. Family hour 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from the Chapel of Evans & Browne's Funeral Home 441 North Jefferson Avenue with funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Brother Saleem Mannan will officiate. Interment will be in Chapel Hill Cemetery, 6476 Midland Road, Freeland, Michigan 48623. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave. on Tuesday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family will be present from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Mr. Jimmie Lee "Bilal" Pritchett Jr.

May 25, 1946 - December 15, 2017