Mother Mary Lee Stinnett

STINNETT, Mother Mary Lee - Age 95, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:30 AM Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Jackson Memorial C.O.G.I.C., G-3155 W. Carpenter Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Pastor Kiemba Knowlin, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd., Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Saturday. Mother Stinnett will lie in state in the chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed Friday, May 10, 2024 from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM, with family present from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Mary Lee Smith Stinnett was born in Denwood, Arkansas on July 30,1928, the third of twelve children born to the union of Henry B. and Frances A. Smith. The family lived in Lula, Mississippi, Whitton, Tyronza, and Twist, Arkansas before eventually settling in Parkin, Arkansas. Here she met Cleveland Stinnett, who she married on December 27,1946. Their union was blessed with 12 children. The family moved to Flint, Michigan in 1953 where Cleveland found work at General Motors. Mother Mary was a domestic worker before becoming a salesperson at Sears and Roebuck, where she worked for 12 years. She left outside employment to devote herself to family and church life. Mother Mary accepted Christ in 1951 and was later baptized at Elm Park Church of God in Christ (now Harris Temple). She later became an active and faithful member of Gospel Temple C.O.G.I.C. and Pilgrim Temple (now Jackson Memorial Temple). She was a member at Holy Hill C.O.G.I.C., where she led the Mother’s Board before returning to Jackson Memorial Temple C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of the late Bishop H. J. Williams. Mother Mary served as president of the Usher Board, Mother’s Board, and the Young Women’s Christian Council. She taught the adult women’s Sunday school class, and was a member of the Sewing Circle, the 40 and Over Club, the Transportation Bus Ministry, and Kitchen Tribe Number 5. She also loved going to the Holy Convocation in Memphis, Tennessee. Mother Mary enjoyed learning and caring for others. She took classes in furniture upholstery, ,jewelry-making and made many outfits for herself and others. She began high school in Tyronza, Arkansas and finished her G.E.D. in Flint. Her home was the gathering place for family and friends for many years. Known as a great cook, she often prepared meals for neighbors who were infirmed or recovering at home. Mother Mary loved good preaching, teaching, and gospel singing. Some of her favorite artists were Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Dorothy Norwood, The Harmonizing Four, and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. She would often respond to questions with “the Bible says” and when speaking of the future, she would always say “if it is the Lord’s will.” Mother Stinnett was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Cleveland Stinnett, Sr.; 3 sons, Cleveland Stinnett, Jr., Harvey Stinnett Sr., and Bruce Stinnett; a daughter, Wanda Stinnett; her parents Henry B. Smith, Sr. and Francis A. Smith; 5 brothers, Henry B. Smith Jr., Andrew Smith, Joe Louis Smith, Robert Louis Smith, and Bruce Smith; 4 sisters, Pearl Lee Smith, Frances Ora Tillman, Dorothy Mae Wallace, and Esther Warren; 2 grandsons, Harvey Stinnett, Jr., and Baby Boy Stinnett; 2 great grandsons, Donavan Smith, Tyson Stinnett; and a son-in-law Walter Hall. Mother Mary Stinnett leaves to cherish her memory: 8 children, Barbara White, Linda Stinnett, Verna (Larry) Kenebrew, Jacquetta Hall, and Harlen (Janet) Stinnett all of Flint, Michigan, Troy (Michelle) Stinnett of Troy, Michigan, Barton (Felecia) Stinnett, and Donald (Vanessa) Stinnett of Atlanta, Georgia; 34 grandchildren, 73 great-grandchildren, and 39 great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lee Edward Smith of Ferguson, Missouri and Oscar Smith of Henrico, North Carolina; her only remaining first cousin Jessie Freeman of Odenton, Maryland; “adopted“ son, Cisero Hunt; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day..” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Mother Mary Lee Stinnett

July 30, 1928 - April 30, 2024