Michael G. Todd (Lansing)

Michael’s Song

INTRO

There are those who enjoy music whether it be, singing, playing or merely listening to songs. Michael Granvil Todd had an appreciation for music uniquely particular to him. He didn’t sing or play, but he enjoyed listening to good music, especially jazz.

Michael’s song began on November 1, 1950, when he was born in Cleveland, Ohio at Mt. Sinai Hospital to Nathaniel Joseph Todd and Rosia Lee (Nicholson) Todd making the family a quartet joining his older brother Nathaniel Joseph Todd Jr. With the births of his three younger siblings, Gregory, Anthony and Natalie, the quartet would become a band of its own - the Todd family.

TEMPO

The Todd tune would carry from the city of Cleveland, Ohio, to Markham, Illinois before landing in Lansing Michigan. It was in Lansing where Michael formed his own duet and tune, when he met Sabrina Annette Jackson, and they married July 9,1977. Together Michael and Sabrina would establish a quartet of their own welcoming two sons, Michael Granvil Todd II and Brendon Nathaniel Jackson Todd.

CRESCENDO

Michael’s song was a sound uniquely all its own and would go on to play another sixty-one years which would include military service (United States Army) and employment with General Motors Corporation Fisher Body and the United States Postal Service. It was also during this time his song crescendo with the marriage of both sons and the welcoming of his grandchildren. From this point the jazz man, formerly known as ‘Michael G’, endearingly became Bop Bop and Pops. Michael enjoyed all forms of jazz, a good game of chess, bid whist, and most times just some quiet, and a book. A University of Michigan fan to the core, Michael was not prone to miss a U-M game of any sport. Although Michael loved his maize and blue, it could not take the place of his family. It didn’t matter, whether it was visits from the grands, a call from his sons, or playfully fussing with his wife Sabrina. Michael knew where his heart was, and so did those around him.

The tempo of Michael’s song began to decline over a series of years while battling various health issues.

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the age of 72 years old, Michael’s song played its last note. Surrounded by his family, this beloved jazz man went home to join a new band.

His song will be remembered and cherished by his wife of 45 years, Sabrina; sons, Michael (Eshe) Todd II of Apopka, Florida and Brendon (Shannon) Todd of Lyons, Michigan; grandchildren, Dillon, Caleb, Owen, Emi and Austin Todd of Apopka, Florida and Alexa of Dearborn, Michigan, and Tatum of Lyons, Michigan; brother, Gregory (Jackie) Todd of Carlsbad, California and sister, Natalie Todd of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; uncles, Thessley (Yvonne) Nicholson, Earl Nicholson, and Claude Browne; nephew, Anthony Todd Jr.; sisters-in-law, Gilda (Floyd) Brashers, Michelle Jackson, Rebekah Jackson, Gina Jackson, and Eileen Todd; brothers-in-law, Gilbert Jackson Jr. and Derek Jackson; numerous Todd and Nicholson cousins (too many to count), other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Ivy Annette Todd; parents, Nathaniel J. and Rosa Todd; brothers, Nathaniel J. Todd Jr., and Anthony K. Todd.