Louise Gurley (Lansing)

Louise’s life story:

Generous and loving, Louise was a woman who enjoyed the simple things in life. Always one to unhesitatingly give of her time and talents. Louise relished in providing care and assistances to any and everyone. She was compassionate and kind. However, she was also quick to become a lion queen when it came to defending her family and beliefs. Louise taught those around her to learn the value of being content. Cherished by many, Louise will long live in the hearts and lives of those she loved.

Peter Wakefield and Julia (Boswell) Wakefield welcomed their daughter, Louise and her twin brother Peter into the family on March 22, 1936, in Pelham Georgia. Louise grew up in a busy faith centered home. While her father worked as a laborer at Whaley Sawmill Company, her mother was a domestic worker for a well-known family in town. Three months after her birth Louise's father died tragically while at work. With faith as the foundation of their home Louise's mother dedicated her life to raising 4 children as a young single mother. The Wakefield clan were members at Summer Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Pelham, Georgia. Along with her siblings, Willa Dean, Rowena and twin brother Peter, Louise attended Mitchell County Elementary and Junior High Schools. Louise was a member of the junior varsity basketball team, and known for playing exceptionally well.

During the “Boom” era, the Wakefield family, like many southerners migrated North to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in pursuit of new destinies. Louise completed her classroom education at Westinghouse High School. Louise attended Baptist Temple Church regularly with her mother. During her leisure time, Louise enjoyed being a part of social clubs and being a regular baseball spectator (especially when the Pirates competed against the Dodgers). Years later a close friend named Jeanie, introduced Louise to her cousin Vincent E. Gurley. Louise and Vincent were married in 1963. Soon after, moving to Flint, Michigan, they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Julia Elizabeth and Edith Mary. After 27 years of marriage, Louise became a widow in 1990.

Louise was a domestic engineer. She enjoyed cooking for her family, especially breakfast, packing delicious lunches for her girls and Vincent, babysitting some of the neighborhood kids, ironing while watching soap operas, and keeping an immaculate home. Louise was very involved with the Mother’s Club, and volunteer events at Walter E. Scott Elementary School. Louise was also, part of a close-knit group of mothers who rotated providing home based Sunday Bible School. She liked to have a “good time” and often was the life of the party. She was also a part of the Kent Street exercise pac, and occasionally played softball. Louise was a member of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, under the teaching of Reverend Braxton V. Burgess.

Louise never needed a holiday to celebrate family gatherings. Whether spending a minute, a day, or a vacation together, she relished every opportunity to enjoy time with her family. A perfect day for Louise was any day spent in the good company of those she loved.

Without a doubt, Louise will certainly be missed. Her loved ones will proudly carry her legacy forward. With each moment we center ourselves in our faith, freely giving of our time and talents, and embrace the blessings in the day. We celebrate the many ways Louise gifted our lives. And in this way, we keep her spirit alive.

Louise Gurley died February 17, 2020. She is pre-deceased by her parents Peter and Julia Wakefield; her adoring husband, Vincent E. Gurley; aunt, Louise Powell; granddaughter, Gabriella Monteiro; sister Rowena Wakefield; nieces, Tamara R. Davis, Terri L. Gurley; nephew, Stephen C. Davis; sister in laws, Stella Wakefield, and Barbara E. Gurley; brother in laws, Ernest Jordan and Wilbert M. Gurley.

Louise is survived by daughters Julia (Stacey) Johnson of Lansing, Michigan and Edith (Charles) Monteiro of Okemos, Michigan; granddaughter, Sydney (Josh) Zaldana’ of Fort Riley, Kansas; grandson, Vincent Cokley of Lansing, Michigan; great-grandson, Gavin Monteiro of Okemos, Michigan; great granddaughters, Gabriella and Alexandria Zaldana’ both of Fort Riley, Kansas; twin brother, Peter R. Wakefield of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; brother, Kevin (Evelyn) Ridgeway of Pelham, Georgia; sister, Willa Dean Jordan of Cleveland, Ohio; brother-in laws, Dwayne (Helene) Gurley of Phoenix, Arizona, Glen Gurley of Silver Springs, Maryland; sister in law, Anita (Harold) Major of Winter Haven, Florida; nieces, Regina Julien of Cleveland, Ohio, Lisa Wakefield (fiancé Charles) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Amber (Toby) Crawford of Thomasville, Georgia, Margaret Katherine (Harlin) Thomas of Silver Springs, Maryland, Leslie (Benjamin) Forham of Orlando, Florida, Glenderlynn (Uric) Henderson of Silver Springs, Maryland; nephews, Darrell (Mary) Wakefield of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gary (Cheryl) Jordan of Cleveland, Ohio, Tarveny Warren of Pelham, Georgia, Jerrod Ridgeway of Thomasville, Georgia, Dwayne (Errolyn) Gurley of Las Vegas, Nevada, Norman Gurley of Grand Blanc, Michigan, Glen Terry Gurley of Silver Springs, Maryland, and Harold Major III of Winter Haven, Florida. Louise had several great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, including her special cousin, Jessie Boswell.