Linda Carolyn Humes (Lansing)

Ms. Linda Carolyn Humes, lovingly referred to by family and friends, as Granny, Grandtee, Aunt Linda and Ms. Linda, gained her wings the evening of Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at Sparrow Health System, Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan surrounded by family at the age of 68 years old. She was born April 21, 1954, in Greenville, Mississippi to Richard Horace Jenkins and Mary Alice Humes.

Linda graduated from Greenville Highschool in 1974. After a visit with her mother to see loved ones in Michigan, she made a big jump and relocated to Lansing in 1983. Upon arrival, she joined Union Missionary Baptist Church under Reverend Melvin T. Jones. Years later, she became an active member at Friendship Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Lester D. Stone, where she allowed her gifts to flourish. She went on to continue her works and devotion under the pastoring of the late Reverend David Ford of Friendship House of Prayer Baptist Church.

Linda earned a degree and certification from Lansing Community College and Michigan State University in social work with an emphasis on child psychology and used her skills, knowledge, and experience to counsel youth who were affected by domestic abuse. During that time, she also helped co-write a book on the subject adding author to her accomplishments.

Ever since Linda was a young girl and took on the role of caretaker and protector over her younger siblings, nieces, and nephews, while her mother worked. She dreamed of having a large house where all the children and people who needed love, support and security could come. Through the years, she made it her life's purpose to do just that.

Over the course of her life, because of her excitement for living, Linda worked various jobs. But her focus was always children and educating. She worked as a nanny, school aide, secretary, before and after school counselor, basketball coach and the list goes on...but her greatest pride was being a mother and granny.

While many of her friends began living their second stage of life after parenting young children; Linda, despite her health signed up to be a foster parent and continued spreading love and fulfilling her dream of "mothering" the "motherless."

Linda was awarded by the St. Vincent Home for children for her outstanding work and dedication. She was recognized by the late Mayor of Lansing, Michigan, Antonio Benavides for her involvement in the community with youth. Linda took pride in all her accolades but educating the youth on African American history, culture, and instilling pride in black children was at the top.

Over a span of 20+years, Linda wrote, and directed a multiple of black history plays as well as others at local churches, schools, libraries, and events in surrounding areas.

Linda loved the Lord and had no problem speaking of His goodness. She allowed His light to shine through her. She never judged, had an ill word to say about anyone, and had a forgiving heart. She knew her purpose and not only displayed it amongst company but in her daily life. Whether it was through words of wisdom, a loving gesture, a helping hand, or her natural compassion and ability to empathize with others.

She will be greatly missed. But from her life and the many lives she touched, the hope is that the lesson that love conquers all is remembered and that a smile on the face is a must, because it might just be the solution to someone's world crumbling.

Let us carry her memory in our hearts forever!

She is survived by her daughters, Mary, Cleara, and Yvonne; son, Karmasie; grandchildren, Mazie Grace, Trey, Jaxlyn, Cassius, Rayonna and Ramani; siblings, Warren, Michael, Vernita, Samuel Albert, Annette, Sandra, Carrie, Georgia, Arthur, Eddie, Andrea, and Curtis; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends who became family including her sisters, not by blood but in heart, Joyce Byrd, Meredee Conyers, Shirley Willis and Celeste Snaden.

Linda was preceded in death by her son William; parents; sisters, Celestine, Demetrius, and Lillie Mae; brothers, Horace Jr, Evester, LeRoy and Clarence.