Mary L. Sturdivant (Lansing)

Mrs. Mary Sturdivant was born on May 25, 1943, to her delighted parents, Jonnie Mae Brown and Noah Hicks in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Mary relocated to Lansing, Michigan in 1968 with her husband Ralph Sanford Knox, Sr. where she went on to further her education and graduated from Ross Medical. Years later she moved to Georgia where she met and married Alester Sturdivant, and opened a Personal Care home and became a member of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. After a few years she longed for her family and moved back to Lansing, Michigan. Her pride and joy were her family, she would often say she was “rich” in family.

Mary was the strength of her family and she delighted in their unity. There was never a time when anyone needed her and she did not come. Her memories will live on through all of us forever more.

She leaves to cherish her memories children, Phillip Hicks, Orlando Knox, Donna Haymon, Ralph Knox, Mae Knox, Tony Knox, Eric Knox, Vanessa Knox, Verness Knox, and Haja Knox; brothers, Ronald Hicks and Donald Hicks; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends, whom were all her pride and joy including her best friends, Hildred Peters and Shine.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alester Sturdivant; beloved daughter, Empress Perrault; parents, Jonnie Mae Brown and Noah Hicks; brothers, Herbert Coleman, John Brown, and David Jackson; and sisters, Regina Hicks and Betty Patterson.