Gene I. Merchant (Lansing)

Gene Idell (Hayes) Merchant, born September 24, 1931, joined the ancestors on Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Born in Pontiac, Michigan to Canadian immigrants and raised in a loving home with nine siblings, Gene had a

remarkable journey. She attended Pontiac Central High School followed by the historically Black college, Tennessee

State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Social Administration in 1953.

Gene returned to her home state, settled in Lansing, and secured a job as a social worker at Lincoln Community

Center – the first cultural, social and recreational hub for African Americans in the capital city. Gene would leave an

indelible mark on the vibrant Westside community where she would live and work for over 20 years. As a long-time

family friend recently shared, Gene was fondly considered their "angel."

In 1955, Gene married Pearl J. Merchant Jr. with whom she raised three daughters Teresa, Cheryl and Belinda (Teal). Becoming a mother did not slow her down. Beyond her professional role in social administration, Gene was an

advocate for education and children's welfare – assisting her neighborhood in securing busing for school-aged

children and becoming a member of the Gayettes Social Club. She retired from The Michigan Federation of

Children & Family Services after years of working as an adoption specialist.

In her second act, Gene was an active member of church and senior community groups – enjoying plays, concerts,

casino trips, volunteering in the church nursery and weekly Bible study classes. Of all her activities, the one thing she

enjoyed most was grandmothering! Affectionately crowned with many endearing names over the years (Grammie,

Gram, Big Gramma, Genie Weenie, Kween Gene, Oma), her grandbabies sure loved spending time with her! In fact, her

eldest granddaughter Tara dubbed her home “Gram Central Station” because, on any given day, you could find

grandbabies cuddled up with her, reading books, playing in her hair, doing her makeup, convincing her to make

dance videos with them, or simply watching Hallmark movies.

Gene lived her life fully and her family finds peace in knowing that her rest was well earned. She was preceded in death by her husband Pearl Merchant Jr.; parents Sylvia A. (Rhodes) Hayes and James D. Hayes; grandparents Mary

(Roth) and Wesley Rhodes; siblings – Norman Hayes, Emery Hayes, Charles E. Hayes, Phyliss Hayes, Alpha E.

Hayes (Buster), Mary Jane Hayes, Richard L. Hayes, Frederick Hayes, Dolores Hayes; and angel grandson Carlton

Merchant.

She is survived by her loving daughters Teresa Yarbrough, Cheryl Merchant, and Belinda (Teal) Merchant (Los

Angeles). Her devoted grandchildren who adored her – Tara Scott-Miller (Sam), Tamara Scott (Maryland), Cheree

Merchant (Lexington, KY), Atia Yarbrough (North Carolina), Ricky Yarbrough (Nieisha), Cameron Merchant and

Talia Caldwell (Los Angeles). A legacy of great grandchildren who kept her on her toes and brightened her days – Chaiel Merchant (Flint), Caliah Coates-Merchant, Cerise Coates-Merchant, Jada Yarbrough, Laila Yarbrough, Alan

Webster, Sahana Yarbrough, Neveon Yarbrough, Kiran Miller, London Yarbrough, Giselle Sanders and Chaz Black;

and great-great grandchildren who gave her immense joy and kept her dancing – Ne’Aylah Crusoe, CeRyn Salaam,

Elzie Cannon II, Navy Cannon, and Carsyn Salaam.

The family deeply appreciates the outpouring of love, comfort and support from so many who cherished her:

nephew Reggie + niece-in-law Irma Hayes, nieces Dyann, Robyn + Lori Hayes; extended family Shauna

(Dunnings) + Stuart Chavis, sister-in-law Barbara Lott, niece-in-law Darlene Merchant, nephew-in-law Clayton

Merchant; caregivers Tammy Flowers, Pat Luckhurst and Sarae Miller; friends Sahu Divyanshu and The Ford

Family.

Gene Idell (Hayes) Merchant will be remembered as a loving, patient, peaceful, and committed mother,

grandmother, mentor, friend and so much more.