Mr. Alfred Coney

CONEY, Mr. Alfred - Age 87, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow in Lansing, MI. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, May 25. 2024 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle 930 E. Myrtle St., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Pastor Stephen Murphy, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Saturday. Mr. Coney will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Friday, May 24, 2024, with family present to receive friends from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Alfred “Dootsie” Coney was born in Magnolia, Mississippi on September 4, 1936 to Ulysses and Lillian (Hughes) Coney. Alfred was the youngest of seven children born to this union. Alfred Coney met the love of his life, Bernice, at the early age of 14, when he saw that “pretty girl with braids down her back” visit with her mother, Hattie. Bernice and Alfred fell in love and moved to Flint as part of the historic “Great Migration”. They were married in Flint, Michigan in 1957. To this union were born five children: Alice, Larry, Tracy, Duane, and Alonzo. Alfred retired from General Motors (which he often called “Generous” Motors) after more than 30 years of employment. He often bragged that he could pick up a dime with his forklift. Alfred was a jack-of-many-trades. He could fix anything! Alfred had many hobbies and talents, including gardening, hunting, and wine-making. He was mechanically inclined and had the ability to take something apart and put it back together with ease to make it new. Alfred loved to grill. If family said they were coming to visit, he’d be outside grilling up platters of chicken and ribs, because if there was one thing about Alfred, he believed in having more than enough! As a gardener, Alfred grew just about everything. He was the original “Urban Gardener” way before it became popular. Until recently, it was unusual to see a city lot with a garden full of fruits and vegetables. Often, he just wanted to see a plant “do what it would do!” and was highly skilled in growing peaches, plums, pears, strawberries, blackberries, and concord grapes. He also grew tomatoes, squash and more; and from this bounty that he produced came delicious jellies and jams, cobblers, and big pots of greens. Alfred grew the prettiest greens in Flint, which he was well known for. Here’s a little-known secret, he didn’t even like to eat greens. Proof that you don't have to like them to grow the best! Alfred learned those valuable skills from his father, who was a grower and often supplied local stores in Magnolia, McComb, and Tylertown, Mississippi. With that skill, of course a great dinner was expected…and please don’t serve this Coney without something sweet! He definitely had a sweet tooth. Alfred was a great athlete and had plans to attend Alcorn State University to play basketball. But, God had other plans. At the age of 16 his mother died, and soon after, he would have a family on the way. Alfred remained active by playing softball with his church family and in various leagues well into his 60s. He mentored many young adults within his church community and had special bonds with his neighborhood family. Alfred kept a meticulous yard. Not a blade of grass out of place! He carried this same skill set to his birth home in Magnolia, Mississippi. His family home was built in the 1860s and he knew its historical value. He, Bernice, his daughter Alice, and son-in-law Don, would make the long drive down to Magnolia twice a year to maintain the home for the past 40+ years. Alfred “Dootsie” Coney leaves to cherish his memory, his children: Alice “Putt” (Don) Player , Larry ``Bo” (Renee) Coney, Tracy (Tyrone Nulls) Hall, and Alonzo “Al” Coney; grandchildren, Brandess (Keenon) Wallace, Aundrais (Kesha) Saunders, Deonte Saunders, Ryan (Tonia) Player, Brandon Coney, Aja Coney, Brittany Coney, Michael Hall, Rebecca (Jason) Lee, Byron Hall, Imani Hall, and Taylor Hall; great-grandchildren, Olivia and Miles Wallace, Aiden and Kannon Hall, Simone Tyler, Hudson Player, Kameron and Aubrey Saunders, Danae and Zoey Saunders, and Jahon Smith; and a host of extended family. Alfred shared special relationships with Randy Williams, Ron Moore, Ron Perry, Geraldine Coleman, and the Baldwin and Moses families. He was a lifelong active member of the Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle community since his arrival to Michigan in the 1950s. You would often find him in the kitchen helping at services and other church functions. Alfred took great pride in serving on the usher board at the church. Alfred was preceded in death by his loving wife, Bernice; parents, Ulysses and Lillian (Hughes), sisters Nola Mae Gardner, Ruby McGee, Yvonne “Vern” Kline, and Helen “T-nite” Conerly; brothers Robert “Bob” and Ulysses Jr., bel

Mr. Alfred Coney

September 4, 1936 - May 15, 2024