Mrs. Leola Strong Baldwin

Mrs. Leola Strong-Baldwin was born to the union of Hubert and Lillian Lee Jones Strong on May 15, 1937 in West Point, Mississippi the eldest of nine children. Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Leola Strong Baldwin at the age of 79 years took a ride on the sweet chariot that swung low to take her to her new home on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 from her residence with family members present. Leola was a born again Christian that found Christ at an early age and was baptized in West Point, MS at the Mount of Olives Baptist Church, Mississippi. Coming to Saginaw, Michigan in 1953 at the age of 16 years, she attended Saginaw Public Schools. Leola met and married Marion Edward (Tony) Baldwin (NY) and began her family in 1955. Joining and fellowshipping at Truvine Missionary Baptist Church under the direction of Reverend R.B. Corley, that fellowship continues today at the direction of Reverend Paul E. Broaddus. Leola loved her family and she always had an open door policy especially on holidays you knew your name was in the pot. She had been known to be able to make a stove jump up and down, food was seasoned to perfection with three ingredients, salt, pepper and most importantly an abundance of love. Leola was a great historian. She had a passion for education and reading, and she instilled this in all her children. Multi-talented, she held various jobs throughout her lifetime, including waitress, short order cook, laundering, with the bulk of her work in the dry cleaning business where she obtained the title of Master Presser and was awarded a certificate for “Spotting” by the Michigan Institute of Laundering and Dry Cleaning. She retired in 2000 where she spent the rest of her years doing some traveling but most importantly resting and relaxing, watching her favorite shows. Her patented response was “I am just sitting in my chair”. Leola has left a legacy that will be remembered by so many because she had a way of leaving a little bit of herself, with any and every one that came into contact with her. The mother of five born children and those that GOD gave her to nurture and guide, three daughters, Nita Ladell Baldwin, Lillian Baldwin Hill, Helen Michelle Baldwin Thomas; two Sons, Roosevelt Burgins, Jr. and Gregory Oneill Baldwin (Grand Rapids, MI); grandchildren, Dr. Donetrus Glenn (Cornelia) Hill of Houston, TX, Elijah (Keisha) Thomas of Saginaw, MI, Shauntia Michele (Lorman) Heilig of Westland, MI, Gregrianna Lachell Harris, Roderick Michael Burgins, Geoffrey Lee Burgins, Gregory Oneill Baldwin, Jr. of Grand Rapids, MI; great-grandchildren, Stephon Davis, Christopher Michael (Charnese) Harris-US Army, Kevontae Moore, Enijah DaVeigh Thomas, Elijah Daylan Thomas all of Saginaw, MI, Roman JaVaris Hill of Houston, TX; and one great-grandchild in route EDA, May 19, 2017; siblings, Lee Floyd Strong “Ishmael” of North Carolina , Ethel Lindsay, Annie Ruth (James) Martin all of Saginaw, MI, Dock (Siddiq) Strong “Mustapha” Shabazz of Atlanta, GA, Mary Helen (Jimmie) Pritchett of Saginaw, MI; host of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews including special nieces and nephews that were like her own children, James Calvin (Sharron) Boyd of Waco, TX, Debra Jean Boyd (Michael) Coleman and Melissa Ann Boyd Landrum of Virginia Beach, VA; Special sister-in-love, Dr. Betty Elizabeth Strong of Atlanta, GA; brother-in-love, Roosevelt Sam Earl Boyd of Waco, TX; special cousins, Bertha Garth, William (Mickey) Garth that looked out for her through the years; two god-children, Rick (Barbara) Calhoun of Shreveport, LA and Cheryl Moore of Saginaw, MI; longtime friends, Ms. Laverne White and Ms. Charlie Mae Pierce both of Saginaw, MI. Mrs. Strong-Baldwin was preceded to glory by her parents, Hubert and Lillian Strong; daughter, Nita L. Baldwin; son, Roosevelt Burgins, Jr.; grandchildren, Rondray L. Hill and Roosevelt Lee Burgins; siblings, Mary Hubbard, Pecolia Mustapha and Arriel (Jihad) Strong. The family extends special thanks to A&D Home Care, Dr. Rakesh Choski and staff, Mr. Alonzo Betts and staff of Evans Browne’s Funeral Home. Funeral will take place at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 31, 2017 at Truevine Missionary Baptist Church, 2930 Janes St. Pastor Paul E. Broaddus will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave. on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Leola Strong Baldwin

May 15, 1937 - March 22, 2017