Mrs. Donnie M. Ross

ROSS, Mrs. Donnie M. - Age 80, passed away Thursday, December 15, 2016 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 10:00 AM Friday, December 23, 2016 at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 1601 Chippewa St., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 10:00 AM Friday. Mrs. Ross 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 Thursday with family present to receive friends from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Mrs. Donnie M. Ross was born September 6, 1936 in Newton Grove, North Carolina, the daughter of the late Anglish and Sallie Bryant. She received her formal education in NC and accepted Christ as a member of Bentonville Disciples Church. While attending Johnston County High School, she displayed her talent on the basketball court as a Guard on the Girls Basketball Team and also as a member of the Choral Singing Choir. Along with her Sisters, Vernola and Dorothy, they formed a gospel group, “The Bryant Sisters”, singing at various churches in North Carolina. In 1955, Mrs. Ross relocated to Flint, Michigan where she married W.C. Ross a few years later. From this union of 56 years, 3 sons were born, Calvin, Donald and Ronald. Mrs. Ross was also a devoted mother to her 2 step-children, Lillian and the late J.W. Upon relocating to Flint, she graduated from nursing school and began her career as a Registered Nurse at Hurley Medical Center. She also joined New Zion Baptist Church where she continued to display her musical talent in the choir singing one of her favorite songs, “It Is Well.” In addition to her talent on the court and in the choir, Mrs. Ross was also a Championship Bowler who traveled the country competing on a Team that included her sister, Flint Bowling Hall of Famer, Dorothy Peacock. Mrs. Ross was also an Entrepreneur, who used her creative talent to design and make clothing, hats, jewelry and centerpieces as Don Nel’s Accessories. However, her greatest talent was her love for her family. She had a very special bond with her Best Friend and Sister, Dorothy and each of them cared for each other’s children and were respected as Mothers by all. Both of them believed in family unity and made sure that the family reunited each year in North Carolina and that every Thanksgiving and Christmas was special. During her 8 years of illness, Mrs. Ross was cared for by her sons, Calvin and Ronald in North Carolina and most notably her devoted husband, W.C. and loving nephew, Larry Peacock. Mrs. Donnie M. Ross leaves in God’s care: husband, W.C.; 3 sons, Calvin of Charlotte, NC, Ronald and Donald (Dorothea) of Flint; step-daughter, Lillian Criss of Arkansas; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Vernola (Elroy) Patterson and Janice Bryant. both of Washington, DC; 2 brothers, Alfred (Helen) of North Carolina and James Bryant; sister-in-law, Delores Bryant, both of New Jersey; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, other relatives and friends including special friends, Pat DeRamus and the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church family. Mrs. Ross was preceded in death by her parents, Anglish and Sallie Bryant; 12 siblings; several in-laws, nephews, other family members and special friend Eva Shivers. The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at the McLaren Acute Care Unit and visiting caregivers Sheila, Nakila and Glenda.

Mrs. Donnie M. Ross

September 6, 1936 - December 15, 2016