Mr. Tommie Essex

Mr. Tommie Lee Essex was called home Wednesday, January, 3, 2024 at Ascension Genesys Hospital at the age of 81 years. He was born in Fannin, Mississippi, the son of James Edward and Maggie Lee Essex Tommie Lee accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Truevine Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Truevillen. He attended Fannin Elementary and Fannin High School. After completing high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In 1962, and received an Honorable Discharge. Tommie Lee married, “The love of his life”, Johnnie Mae Essex in Jackson, MS. In 1965 they relocated to Saginaw, Michigan where they became members of Rosehill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Arthur Washington and now the current, Pastor Murry Culbertson. Tommie Lee was a Golden Glove Boxer, a member of the Lions Club and Perfect Ashler Lodge #26 and the organizer/founder of the Women’s Lion Club. Tommie was employed by the Saginaw Police Department, Pioneer Sugar Beet Company, Saginaw Malleable Iron Foundry, GM Corporation and a member of UAW Local 455 retiring in 1990. He loved working on cars, fishing and traveling. He also loved keeping all of his grandchildren in line by saying, “I’m going to shoe!!!, Better sit down now!!!, I ain’t playing.” Tommie Lee was the “Jack of all Trades” there was nothing he couldn’t do. Tommie Lee Essex leaves to cherish his memory, his lovely wife of 61 years, Johnnie Mae Essex; nine children, Tyrone (Annette) Bloodshaw, Janice Monroe, Willie (Michele) Gray, Victoria Jones, Joanna Thompson, Linda King, Tommie (Brenda) Jackson, Lakesha Essex and Marquavis Essex; 43 grandchildren; 72 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Cheri) Essex; sisters, Lillie Horne, Hattie Greer, Ella Williams, Ettie Nolan, Maggie (Bennie) Davis, Mary Mims, and Geneva (Bob) Myers; brothers-in-law, Russell (Robin) Jackson and Pastor Eddie Jackson; sister-in-law, Paulette Jackson, god-children, Brenda Donahue, Barbara (Phillips) Crook and Edward (Carmen) Harrison; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Mr. Tommie Lee Essex was preceded in death by his children, Ronnie Essex, Diane (Norris) Nellum, Barbara (Carl) Brown, William Monroe; grandchildren, Monterris Henry, Lawrence Jones, Tammy McMillon, Renado Jackson and Jolonda McCall; parents, James Edward and Maggie Lee Essex; brothers, Jimmie, John and Joe Essex; sisters, Pearline Griffin, Elizbeth Tate, Lennie and Lillian Williams; brothers-in-law, Robert Noye and Herman Jackson; sisters-in-law, Maggie Fields, Lula Mae Cooper, Edna Funchess, Thema and Marie Jackson, first Lady Wanda Jackson, Ora Butler, Zelmae, Dorothy Mae and Ernestine Kinnard. Family hour at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 20, 2024 at Rosehill Baptist Church, 2403 E. Remington St., with the funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Murry Culberson will officiate. Interment in Eastlawn Memorial Gardens, 7475 E. Holland Rd., Saginaw, MI. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Mr. Tommie Essex

April 20, 1942 - January 3, 2024