Willie Flowers

FLOWERS, Mrs. Willie Joe (Bell) - Age 90, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at her residence. Family hour 10:30AM Tuesday, June 2, 2009 at Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle, 930 E. Myrtle Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11AM, Rev. Freelon Threakeld officiating. Interment River Rest Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Tuesday. Mrs. Flowers will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd, and may be viewed from 1PM-8PM Monday. Mother Willie Joe (Bell) Flowers was born October 9, 1918 in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of James Lacey and Sadie Bell. Willie Joe “Billie” came to Flint in 1934. She was a member of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle for more than 70 years, serving on the Darcus Missionary Circle, the Floral Committee, Superintendent of the Youth Department, the Wolverine District, Cub Scott Den Mother and Sunshine Band. Mother Flowers sang in the Senior Choir and served on the Usher Board. She also was an advocate in community service, presiding over the 3rd Ward Easter Seals and March of Dimes. Mother Flowers had a strong passion for education, though she only completed her education to the 9th grade. She later completed her studies at Northwestern Adult High School. She participated in the P.T.A. at Martin School, served as lunch mother and homeroom mother for her children and grandchildren. Mother Flowers was a woman of many talents, working at the Durant Hotel in Downtown Flint. She also worked for Mr. and Mrs. John Beagle, Buick and was a wonderful homemaker. Some of her hobbies include reading her Bible, crossword puzzles, watching Price is Right, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, singing her most favorite songs, “His Eye Is On The Sparrow and “Is My Living In Vain”, talking on the phone to her friends, loved ones and visiting the sick and shut-ins. She had a profound love for God and her family. Mother Flowers had a giving heart, a smile on her face and always in service to God, her family and community. She leaves to cherish her memory: husband, Paul W. Flowers, Sr.; daughter, Gloria Johnson; son, Paul W. Flowers, all of Flint; god-daughter, Jessie Bradley; mother, Gladys Anderson; play son, Curtis Epps; granddaughters, Monique D. Milton of Flint, Marquetta D. Woodruff of Jacksonville, FL; grandson, Marquis D. Johnson and Kemonie R. Flowers of Flint; great-grandchildren, Reginald S. Milton II, Dom Monique A. Milton, San Taiira Henry, Sha Kara Johnson, Marquis D. Johnson, Jr., Ma-naja and Marianna Johnson, Nyima Smalley, Isiah Flowers, all of Flint and Makayla Woodruff of Jacksonville, FL; sister, Rosina Whiting of Memphis, TN; sisters-in-law, Lois and Bobbie Flowers; brother-in-law, Clarence Flowers of Flint; a host of nieces and nephews; special friends including Cloteal Coney, Mrs. Geraldine Lee, Mr. Joe Wright, Judge Duncan Beagle and Mrs. Arabella Bullock. She was preceded in death by parents, James and Sadie Bell; 2 sisters, Grace and Sadie Mae; 7 brothers, James, Daniel, Robert, Napoleon, Peter, Henry Lee, Ocalee; mother and father-in-law, Ladell and Virginia Flowers; 3 sisters-in-law, Sally Bell, Frankie and Jeanette; 5 brothers-in-law, Emmanuel, Eddie Lee, William, Walter Dale and Shannon. The family would like to express special thanks to home care nurse, Terry Thomas, Nurses on 7 East, 4th Floor and roommate in 729, Mrs. Edith and husband, caregivers, her children, Gloria and Paul, grandchildren, Monique and Marquis, great-grandchildren, SanTiara and Shakara, all other caregivers and the Metropolitan Tabernacle Church family.

Willie Flowers

October 19, 1918 - May 26, 2009