Mrs. Lessie Mae Tedford

TEDFORD, Mrs. Lessie M. - Age 93, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Genesee Care Center, Grand Blanc, MI. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Christ Assembly Full Gospel Tabernacle, 1399 Holtslander Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Pastor Carl Anthony Tedford officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Saturday. Mrs. Tedford 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-8:00 PM Friday. Lessie Mae Tedford was born January 21st 1924, in Lynch Kentucky, to parents Susie Dansby-Bethune and Porter Bethune. She grew up in Kentucky and later married Ralph Tedford Sr. Eleven children were born of this union. During the great migration in 1954 Lessie moved to Flint Michigan with her husband and children. She worked at Sarvis Food Center and later worked for the Flint Community Schools. In 1989, Lessie retired with over 25 years of service. She resided in Flint Michigan for most of her adult life. Her final residence was in Davison Michigan. She attended Christ Assembly Full Gospel Tabernacle for over 50 years where she served faithfully. Just to list a few of her many talents, she was a story teller and a writer. She wrote several children’s stories and puppet shows throughout her lifetime. Lessie Mae loved sewing, gardening and making silk floral arrangements. She also was a vocalist who loved singing gospels. Her favorite gospel artist was the late, great Mahalia Jackson. Lessie Mae, affectionately called Granny by most, was known for her sweet, kind and compassionate spirit. She would give her last, never hesitating to make personal sacrifices to give to those in need. For example, one of her children would come home and tell her that, ‘’one of my friends didn’t have food to eat today, so I shared my lunch with them’’. She would find a way, even though she was struggling herself, to pack an extra lunch for that child so that they wouldn’t go hungry. Lessie (Granny) Tedford was a highly spiritual and God fearing woman, and raised her children the same way. She lived by the conviction, ‘’In my house we WILL serve the Lord’’. Granny Tedford often used bible verses, words of wisdom and prayer to mentor, enlighten and encourage others. Her life was dedicated to loving God and winning souls. She will be greatly missed by many. While we mourn the loss of Granny, others are rejoicing as they meet her on the other side of the veil. Lessie Mae Tedford is survived by: daughters, Dorahetta (Preston) Tedford-Peery of Davison, MI and Tracy Tedford of Los Angeles, CA; sons, Ralph Jr. (Margaret) Tedford of Grand Blanc, MI, Donnie Tedford, Dansby Tedford, both of Flint, Frank Tedford of Detroit, MI, Ricky (Arlene) Tedford of North Hollywood, CA and Dr. William Tedford MD of Washington, DC; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren (up to 5 generations); a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Lessie Mae Tedford was preceded in death by, daughters, baby girl, Vicky Tedford and Mae Alice (Tedford) Baker; son, Ronnie Lee Tedford Sr.; grandsons, Ralph Tedford III and Caleb Baker; mother, Susie Dansby-Bethune; father, Porter Bethune; sisters, Carrie, Beulah, Victor Lee, Klara and Izzetta; brothers, Sam and Dansby. The family would like to express special thanks to Carl Anthony Tedford (grandson and pastor), Marguerite Marie Tedford-Jenkins (grand-daughter), Wyndolen Toni Tucker (grand-daughter), Preston Peery Jr. (son-in-law), Mary Louise Tedford (special daughter), Theatrice Tedford (special daughter), Virdean Moore (family friend), Genesee Care Center, Phyllis Miller (CNA), Vesther (CNA), and Absolute Hospice. A special thank you from Dorahetta Tedford-Peery: My appreciation goes out to each and every one of you who gave your time, your love and energy in helping me care for mother. And to my husband, Preston, thank you for allowing me to bring mom into our home without thought or hesitation. I’ll never forget those words you uttered to me when I was worried about mom’s health. You said, “Dorahetta, go get your mother’’. Mom thanked God for you every day. She saw your true heart and reminded me daily of how she was blessed to have you for a son-in-law.

Mrs. Lessie Mae Tedford

January 21, 1924 - August 19, 2017