Martha Jeanette Tellis was born August 22, 1935 in Detroit Michigan. She was the eldest child born with identical twin, Mary, to Olin and Ruby Mae Little. She made her transition Monday, April 15, 2019. Age 83 years.
Martha married David Brown and to that union five children were born. She later moved to Saginaw, Michigan and married Joseph Tellis and was blessed with one more child. Martha resided most of her life in Saginaw, Michigan where she retired from Hoyt Nursing Home as a Nursing Assistant. She enjoyed church, swimming, belly dancing, cooking, watching court TV shows and talking on the phone with family and friends.
Martha was a caretaker and a nurturer and had a smile that filled the room. Kindness was one of her most important attributes. She gave a little bit of herself to most she came in contact with. Everyone has their own story to tell about Mom, Mother, Grandma, Big Mama, Auntie, Sister Tellis. She will be most remembered for how much she cared for her family, her youthfulness and sense of adventure. She was still playing video games (Wii bowling) and crossing her arms, closing her eyes and going down water slides well into her 70’s.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Olin and Ruby Mae; siblings, Loretta Ward, Herman Little, Joseph Little, Victoria Henley; granddaughter, Tawanna Michelle Brown
She leaves to cherish her memory six children, Anna Marie Brown, Saginaw, Michigan, Ronnie David Brown, Detroit, Michigan, Linda Ann Brown, Tacoma, Washington, Steven Allen (Jacqueline) Brown, Sunnyvale, Texas, Tracie Delores (David) Brackens, Grand Blanc, Michigan, Vergil Tellis of Shreveport, Louisiana; thirteen grandchildren, Dr. Catrina (David) Jones, Suwanee, Georgia, Domonique (Sergio) Winston, Loma Linda, California, Vergil Wells of Hammond, Louisiana, Alicia Jenkins, Cartersville, Georgia, Deon (Tayonna) Brown, Detroit, Michigan, Devon Brown, Tacoma, Washington, Steven (Cheria) Brown, Helotes, Texas, Lauren Brown, Sunnyvale, Texas, Whitney Sims, Grand Blanc, Michigan, Devin Brackens, Saginaw, Michigan, special grandson Jonias Brackens, Grand Blanc, Michigan, that she would always say, “Bring him over. He doesn’t bother me and I don’t bother him”, Camarii Tellis, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Joseph Tellis, Shreveport, Louisiana; 13 Great Grandchildren; 1 Great- Great Grandchild; three sisters, Mary Talley, Dallas, Texas, Lois (Clarence) Mitchell, Detroit, Michigan, Josephine (Gerald) Robinson, Detroit, Michigan, Doris (Phillip) Blount, Clarksville, Tennessee; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
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