Mrs. Lydia Handley

May 27, 1926 - December 27, 2021

HANDLEY, Mrs. Lydia - Age 95, passed away Monday, December 27, 2021 at her residence. Family hour 10:30 AM Friday, December 31, 2021, From the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Rev. Dianne Beverly, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd.. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Chapel 10:30 AM Friday. Mrs. Handley will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home and may be viewed from 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Thursday.Lydia “Lottie” Mae Smiley Moore Handley, the second child of three born to the late Martin and Amanda Smiley on May 27, 1926. Lydia graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1943. She spent her entire life in Flint enjoyed her early childhood on Maine St. and Grant St. Lydia was a former member of James Chapel on Campau Street near St. John St. James Chapel was later named St. James CME Church and relocated to 310 W. Wood St. Lydia passed away peacefully on December 27, 2021 with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at her side. Lydia was formerly employed at the Flint Board of Education (Potter Elementary School), Sears & Roebuck, and she was a Licensed Cosmetologist. She loved styling hair and designing nails. Lydia also sold lots of “Home Interior” designs for the home. She was a member the Nu-Lite Chapter of The American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) where she recruited her daughter, Linda, who is a 30-year member of the same chapter. Lydia was a fun-loving mom, but very strict in raising her 12 children. When she said you better stop… you had better and if you didn’t, she’d say “Go get a switch from the weeping willow tree out back and don’t come back with a short branch.” She always had a couple of long branches hidden. Lydia loved decorating her home and huge yard. One mom’s favorite things to do was going to Las Vegas with “Linda’s Group.” She was always a big winner but you never knew how big!!! When she went to Soaring Eagle Casino and come home with her winnings, she’d tell the grandkids to go get a handful of coins-if you were good on that day. (You know the kids were always good on that day). Her other favorite place was vacationing in “The Bahamas.” she loved her family so much that she had backyard picnics with the kid and grandkids weekly. Lydia also enjoyed her Wednesday Bible Studies with the grandkids. Mom was also recognized as the sharp lady driving her Pink (dressed-down) GEO Tracker with her white floppy hat cocked to the side. They always said “There goes Mrs. Handley, better watch out.” She also loved going to Yard and Estate Sales. Lydia “Mae Handley leaves to cherish her wonderful memories: 8 daughters, Linda (Melvin) Hamilton, Diane Moore, Julie Handley, Mary Handley, Cynthia Handley, Myra Handley, Michelle Handley-Nard and Monique Reynolds; 3 sons, King Luther (Alaska) Moore, Julius Handley III and Leon (Margreat) Handley; 28 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; special nieces, Marcia Banks and Kimberly Milton; special nephews, Donald Smiley and Dana Milton; a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Lydia was preceded in death by her husband, Julius Handley Jr.; son, Dennis Moore; grandson, Billy Nard; great-grandsons, Isaiah Jericho and Terrance McClain III; parents, Martin and Amanda Smiley; sister, Ruth Euman; 4 nephews, Arnold Smiley Jr., Martin Smiley, James Smiley and Eugene Smiley; brother and sisters-in-law, Milton and Blanche Smiley.The family would like to express special thanks to Pulmonary Associates PC, The Medical Team Hospice, caregivers, Jennifer, Erin and Peyonca.