Mrs. Josephine Haney

HANEY, Mrs. Josephine - Age 85, passed away Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 10:30 AM Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 2120 N. Saginaw St., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM. Rev. Dr. Daniel Moore, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30 AM Saturday. Mrs. Haney will lie in state at the Shiloh Baptist Church and may viewed on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM with family present from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM to receive friends.Josephine's earthly arrival came on December 6, 1937 in Flint, to Jeff and Esther Nelson. She was the second and youngest child to this union. Josephine was a proud product of the historical African American community called St. John Street and would give anyone an impromptu history lesson of the beauty, resilience, and pride of St. John Street and Hickory Street to ensure it was not lost on the next generation. Josephine Nelson was a devout Christian from birth, having been born a member of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. She served in many capacities at church, including as the Church Secretary for 60 years, Church Historian for 60 years, musician for 50 years, and Chair of the Kitchen Committee for more than 30 years. She was also a choir member for 75 years including the Senior Choir, EAC (Eleanor Allen Chorales) , the eldest member of the Shiloh Praise Team. In the mid-sixties, Josephine received a song written on a paper bag from a woman by the name of Johnny Mae Matthews and was asked to travel to Detroit and record it. The song was called "My Man," and that was the point when Josephine decided that she would only sing for God and no one else. Even though the song would go on to become a hit by someone else, she never regretted her decision to only use her gift for God. Because of her love of gospel, Josephine would go on to record with Canaan Baptist Church, Metropolitan Baptist Church, and her final recording was with Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in 1996 on the CD called, “Shiloh Live”. Every time a family member hears the song, "Lord hold my hand," they can’t help but think of Josephine, and hear her singing, "Because I don't want to run this race in vain." Josephine, who was also a musician played for Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church starting in her teen years. Later, when Foss Avenue Baptist Church was formed and needed a musician, she was sent to share her musical talents with them as well. In the mid-eighties, she formed one of the largest choirs in the history of Shiloh called the Angel Choir. This choir was comprised of all of the children in the church and at its height, had over 50 children singing for the glory of God. The song they were most known for speaks volumes to what she wanted the children to learn about God. That song’s words were "I'm looking for a miracle. I expect the impossible." Josephine began her work career at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, and then carried over to the City of Flint where she would retire after 25 years as a Public Housing Manager at the tender age of 47. Because she couldn't sit still for long, she would go on to work in the following agencies: All State Insurance, Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and the Human Relations Committee of Flint, Michigan. Other occupations included being a Realtor, a Notary, and an Election Worker for three Mayors, as well a Crim Race Volunteer. She also formed a partnership with childhood friends Gloria Reynolds and Nellie Bacon, called GJN Catering providing full-service catering in the city of Flint. Josephine was a proud Flint Northern Viking and felt that the “Class of 1955” was the best class. Josephine relished being the little and only sister to her big sister Winona. Winona was her protector, teacher, and friend. They were the "Nelson Sisters." You could find the "Nelson Sisters" together at church, bowling, supporting family events, and at every family reunion. After both retired, they became the other half of the friendship they called "The Golden Girls." The Golden Girls were the Morgan sisters and Nelson sisters - Nona, Mary Ellen, Josephine and Nellie. They were just a plane ride away from any event and could often be seen rolling through an airport on their way somewhere. In 1963 at Hurley Medical Center. Josephine met a young man from Arkansas by the name of Loyd Haney. She said he admired her so much that he would follow her from floor to floor while she tried to do her job, and she tried to figure out what his job was. She finally agreed to a first date, and he took her and parked in the driveway of his sister's house where he lived. She wasn't sure how to take this, but she did allow him to take her on a second date. On June 13,1964, she married the love of her life, Loyd Haney. Loyd and Josephine would forever be known as Uncle Loyd and Aunt Jo to many generations. Their love was the example of realistic love. No perfection, just perfect for each other. During football and basketball season, you could find them in the TV room arguing because she intentionally rooted for the opposite team just to get on his nerves. His response was always "Josephine I told you hush, you don't know what you talking about," and her response was always "Loyd, you don't know what I know, you hush." They loved to take road trips, entertain family, and help family members in need. Later in life, they enjoyed sitting on the porch, waving at everyone who drove by and blowing their horn to say hello. Josephine and Loyd understood what “till death do us part meant,” and after 56 years of love, on August 27, 2020, she held his hand and watched him take a final trip without her. Only three short years later, they're back together for eternity. Josephine has been a fixture in the Flint community her whole life and has been a member of many organizations and social clubs including: The Six of Us, Hurley’s Retirees Club, Hurley Auxiliary, and Birch Run Lunch Crew. Leaving to carry on her legacy: daughter, Min. Mary “Mae Mae” Haney; granddaughters, Lashanna, Twanna, Felicia and Ebonne Haney of Toledo, OH; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 god-daughters, Natasha Love of Flint, MI, and Kendra Stevens of Summerville, SC; sister, Winona Hinton of Flint, MI; sister-in-law, Dr. Melvia (Don) Russell of Alabama; best friend for over 80 years, Nellie Bacon of Flint, MI; god-sister, Shelia Sanders of Ladd, AR; a host of nieces, nephews and the entire Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Flint Family. Josephine was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Loyd Haney; daughter, Marie Walker; father, Jeff Nelson; mother, Esther Nelson; sister, Mildred Day; sisters-in-law, Frankie B. Jenkins, Lillie Bell White, Katie (Mathew) Brown, and Teresa Cousins; brothers-in-law, Huide Braxton, Woodrow Chatman and Roy Haney; god-parents, John and Katye Harrington. Special thanks to Hurley ICU, Drs. Paul and Teresa Musson, Shiloh Ministry staff, Davita Dialysis of Burton, Rev. Dr. Daniel and 1st Lady Denise Moore and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Flint family, care-givers, LaShonda Jones, Marcella Jackson and Granddaughter Lashanna Haney.

Mrs. Josephine Haney

December 6, 1937 - August 1, 2023