Eddie Nettles

On June 12, 2017 Eddie B. Nettles’ name was found in the Lamb’s Book of Life; he was given his crown as he joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born on October 24, 1943, in Sunflower, Mississippi to Wesley and Maggie Nettles. He was the 8th child of eleven siblings.

Eddie attended elementary school in Sunflower, Mississippi. After completing some of his schooling in the South, his family migrated North and made Saginaw, Michigan their home in 1956. Eddie continued his education in the Saginaw Public School District and finished strong with a high school diploma from Saginaw Adult Education.

On May 5, 1962 Eddie married his childhood sweetheart, Mary (Georgia) Hines. While making a life for him and his wife, Eddie returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the American Baptist College of Theology in 2003. Eddies’ extensive training in Christian Education opened many doors of opportunity for him to serve in numerous areas of ministry including the Saginaw Valley Baptist District, Wolverine State and National Congresses of Christian Education. New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church was his home where he served faithfully as a Sunday School Superintendent, Laymen’s Teacher and Deacon. In 2003, he was later appointed as a Deacon Emeritus.

Eddie was employed with General Motors, one of the largest automotive plants in the United States, for 30 years before retiring. He was involved in many organizations where his voice made a difference. He was a member of UAW Local 668, and served as a graduated Union Counselor in the Michigan United Labor Community Service Union. He didn’t stop there; Eddie was a member of the NAACP, the Southern Poverty Law Center (Fighting Hate, Teaching Tolerance, and Seeking Justice) and a committed member of the United Way Committee. Eddie had such a love and compassion for children leading him to become a generous giver to a plethora of organizations that benefit children, including the Make a Wish Foundation.

Although he wasn’t the oldest, Eddie was known for his stern demeanor and no nonsense attitude. One day his wife, Georgia, challenged him to think about what other occupation he would have chosen if he had another opportunity to do something different with his life. He believed he would have been a great politician in addition to his enjoyment for world history and politics. His infinite wisdom and guidance will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

Eddie leaves to cherish his memories with his loving wife of 55 years, Mary (Georgia) Nettles; three sisters, Lucille Jones and Betty (Johnny) Williams of Saginaw, Michigan; Earlean Nettles, Lima, Ohio; one brother, R.D. Nettles, Saginaw, Michigan; mother-in- law, Oretha Hines, Springfield, Illinois; four sisters-in-law, Mildred Nettles, Lansing, Michigan, Michelle (Larry) Watson, Kansas, Missouri; Dannielle (Ronald Rico) Johnson, Los Banos, California, and Sara McGee of Peoria, Illinois; one brother-in-law, Arthur Peyton, Saginaw, Michigan; a niece that he raised as a daughter, Brandy (John) Jackson, Saginaw, Michigan; godchildren, Candace, Anginae and Willie Jovantae Buchanan, all of Saginaw, Michigan; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; his best friend, James (Jane) McGhee, Jackson, Mississippi.

Eddie was predeceased by his parents, Wesley and Maggie Nettles; three brothers, John, Eugene and Howard Nettles; three sisters, Ada Jackson, Martha Robinson and Eva Mae Bryant; mother-in-law, Mavis McQueen; father-in-law, Ralph Hines; brothers-in-law, Billy Hines, McKinley Jackson and Willie Jones; sisters-in-law, Alma, Daisy and Angela Nettles.

Many thanks to the wonderful friends, family, neighbors and acquaintances who have shared in our bereavement by offerings of prayer, kind words, food, time, money, flowers, visits, research, clerical skills, etc. We have received your offerings and have felt your abundant love.

Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2017 - 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
(989)754-4826

Family Hour: Friday, June 23, 2017 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
(989)754-4826

Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2017 - 11:00 a.m.
New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
3610 Russell Street
Saginaw, Michigan 48601
(989)754-0801

Host Pastor: Pastor A. J. Harris, Jr., New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
Officiating: Pastor Edward James Jones, Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church
Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery