Carmen Aletia Henry (Lansing)

Mrs. Carmen Aletia James Henry passed away Friday, August 9, 2019 at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. Age 72 years. She was born on April 14, 1947 in Canje, Guyana, South America. The first of seven children born to the union of Irene and the late Eustace James.

Carmen attended St. Patricks Angelcian School, where she received her primary education. She excelled in school and at the age of 16 took and passed the College of Preceptors exam. This test covers 9 subject areas, which Carmen mastered; earning a distinction in Arithmetic. After passing the test, she began teaching 9-11-year-old students. At 21 years old, Carmen moved to Georgetown, Guyana and began nursing school at Georgetown Hospital. While attending school, Carmen also taught Sunday School at a local Lutheran Church. She joined a poetry and drama group. Carmen graduated from nursing school and began her nursing career as an RN at Georgetown Hospital. She loved to read and even after losing her vision in later years, would often listen to books on tape. Carmen also enjoyed going to church and spreading God’s Word and love to anyone she met or encountered. She led by example, living her life according to God’s Holy Word. Carmen was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where she was loved and fellowshipped with her church family. She also spent a great deal of time with friends at the Lutheran Outreach Center.

She leaves to lovingly cherish her memory her husband, Robert; mother, Irene; children, Rawle, Denise, Nigel and Dawn; grandchildren, Ijeoma, Chinaka, Chioma, Emeka, Natalie, Mackenzie, Victoria, Elmahdi and David; great-granddaughter, Amara; step-daughter, Paula; sisters, Bernice, Audrey and Sandra; brothers-in-law, William and Wayne; sisters-in-law, Janice and Rose; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, family members, loved ones and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Eustace; brothers, Kenrick, Derrick and Lincoln James.