Mr. Jesse Lee Briggs

BRIGGS, Mr. Jesse Lee - Age 86, passed away Monday, July 8, 2024, at his residence. Family hour 11:00 AM Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Second Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 6046 N. Clio Rd. with funeral service commencing at 12:00 PM Pastor Rodney Williams officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11:00 AM Thursday. Mr. Briggs 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 Wednesday. We will forever cherish the memory of Jesse Lee Briggs, born on July 25, 1937, in Monticello (Selma), Arkansas. He was the seventh of a large and loving family of thirteen children, born to the late Reverend William Theodore Briggs, Sr. (1906-1886) and Emma Langdon Briggs (1904-1990). Jesse spent his early years in Selma, Arkansas, where he attended Selma Rosenwald Elementary School and Monticello High School. He came to know Christ as his Savior at an early age and was a member of the Sixteenth Section Missionary Baptist Church. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Arkansas AM&N College, and later migrated to Flint, Michigan, where he joined his brother Earl and began his work career. He spent 28 years working for Fisher Body on Coldwater Road in Mt Morris, MI. Here, he met the love of his life, the late Lucille Pennymon (1930-2021). Jesse and Lucille were married for 53 years. Meeting Lucille allowed him to pursue one of his favorite pastimes, playing the guitar. His love for music was evident as he joined her gospel music team that included singing with Lucille’s friends and four siblings. The group became renowned and celebrated as “The Mighty Banks Sisters.” In addition to music, enjoyed fishing, hunting, and carpentry. Jessie was preceded in death by seven brothers: Ernest, Adrain, Earl, Curtis, Virgil, William Theodore, Jr., and Bennie Joe Briggs; four sisters, Willie Mae Briggs Ferrell, Narvel Briggs May, Thelma Briggs, and Gladys Briggs. He leaves behind many family and friends to forever cherish his memory. Among them, two daughters, Annette Briggs-Lay and Gwen (Lenny) Hemphill; one brother, Edward Briggs; grandsons, Kenyatta, Nehemiah, and Elijah Johnson; granddaughters, Elisha Johnson, Novee’ Pennymon, Kristina Dixson; 17 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, god-children, extended family members and friends. When his journey ended on July 8, 2024, just 16 days before his 87th birthday, Jesse had a smile on his face.

Mr. Jesse Lee Briggs

July 25, 1937 - July 8, 2024