Cora Folson

Cora Folson of Detroit, Michigan, passed away Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at William Beaumont Hospital. Age 76 years.
Cora Belle Folson was born on March 15, 1935 to Albert and Florence Dickey in Shelby, North Carolina. She was the twelfth child of fourteen children. Her family moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1939, and Cora was educated in the Detroit Public School System. Cora loved music, and could always be heard singing a song of praise around the house. She was very talented, and played the viola, violin and tenor saxophone. She graduated from Northwestern High School, where she played in the Jazz Band, Mr. Walkers String Ensemble, and sang in the Concert Choir. She played tenor saxophone for the All City Orchestra. After graduation, she worked at Coopers Drug Store. She joined St. Stephens AME Church, where she was married on June 14, 1954 to Jack Folson Sr. Cora had two children; then being a dedicated wife and mother moved to Buffalo, New York with her family because of better teaching opportunities for her husband. Once there, she bore three more cherubs, and relocated to Detroit in 1967 where she joined New Light Missionary Baptist Church.
As a strong woman of God, Cora raised her five children. After her children were grown, Cora returned to complete her Education, and received her Bachelors Degree in Education from Marygrove College in 1989. After graduation, Cora began her teaching career at St. Marys of Redford. She continued educating youth in English and History at St. Martin DePorres, Beaubian Middle and Longfellow Elementary Schools. She was loved and respected by her colleagues and students alike, and she truly enjoyed the experience and challenges of educating the young.
She completed all but one class for award of her Masters Degree, before she suffered a debilitating stroke in 1998. When the doctors had given up on Cora, her strong faith in God allowed her to continue on her Christian journey for another 14 years. She was an inspiration to others at Medilodge Rehabilitation center, and enjoyed being a member of the Red Hat Society; shopping; movies; sing-a-longs; and BINGO!! Cora loved life to the fullest, and her infectious laugh and expressive eyes told you exactly what and how she was feeling without ever uttering a word.
She leaves to celebrate her memory (her children) Jack, Jr., Carla Rene, Cheryl Christine, Joel Lamar and Tracy Lea; her siblings: Tommie L. Dickey, Texas F. Cobb, Johnie N. Harrell, and a sister-in-law, Doris Dickey. Also cherishing her memory are Coras grandchildren Joel, Khalil, Charlene, Latoya and Joshua; her great grandchildren Isiah, Chloe, Cornell and Dante, many other relatives and friends.