Willie Baty

BATY, Mother Willie - Age 79, passed away Monday, May 14, 2012 at Genesys Health Park. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, May 20, 2012 at Ebenezer Ministries 2130 S. Center Rd., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Rev. Harry Prince, officiating, Bishop Urundi Knox, Host Pastor. Family and friends will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Monday. Mother Baty will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Mother Willie Lee (Gable) Baty “Butter” one of seven children born November 8, 1932 in Alexandria, Louisiana, the daughter of Thomas and Clara Gable. She attended Peabody High School. Looking for better opportunities, she moved to Saginaw, Michigan. Willie met and married Lloyd Baty and again seeking better opportunities, moved with her family to Omaha, Nebraska where she reunited with three of her sisters. After attending beauty school and working as a Beautician she returned to Michigan where she began a 22 year career with General Motors in Flint; from which she retired. Willie was a long-time, faithful and dedicated Union member even in retirement. Mother Baty was the First Black Officer (recording secretary) of UAW Local #659 retirees. In this position, she attended many conferences and conventions across the country. A highlight was attending President Obama’s Inauguration in Washington, D.C. Willie was a member of Ebenezer Ministries, where she served faithfully in various capacities. She was regarded affectionately as one of the mothers of the church. Mrs. Willie Lee (Gable) Baty “Butter” leaves to cherish her memory: children, Reginald B. (Ollie) Young, Simon Robertson III and Alton Jerome Robinson; grandchildren, D’Antoinette Robertson, Eric (Brandy) Langston, Erika Olisa Robinson, Stephanie D. Young (Henry) Sendaula; four great grandchildren; sister, Clara Belle Gable (Robert) Hendricks;, and a host of dear nieces, nephews and friends. Mother Baty was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Baty; brother, Earl S. Price; sisters, Myrtle Sanders, Emma Culbert, Thelma Sprew and Genevieve Betts.

Willie Baty

November 8, 1932 - May 14, 2012