Michael Jennings (Lansing)

Mr. Michael Jennings “The Picture Man”, our beloved family and friend, transitioned from Earth to Heaven on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Lansing, Michigan. Age 75 years old. Michael was born Thursday, September 29, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois to mother, Mary Lee Smith (Redmond) and father, Elisha Miller.

Michael’s family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan when he was a young child. He matriculated through the public school system there and graduated from South High School where he played basketball; a sport that remained his passion both as a participant and observer. Michael was quite popular with his peers and because of his engaging personality, never met a stranger.

After graduating high school, Michael attended Ferris State University, where he met Carla, who soon became his wife and the mother of his son, Darin. Together they transferred to Michigan State University, graduated and established a village whose friendships endured a lifetime. Michael was a diehard Spartan and founding member of the MSU Black Alumni Association. His professional career began with the Greater Lansing Urban League as a client advocate. After several years, he transferred those skills to the State of Michigan Department of Mental Health where he advanced his advocacy to help numerous mentally challenged and disenfranchised people statewide. Michael retired from that position after thirty years of faithful service.

During the interim, Michael was studying to become a photographer in honor of his older brother, Dave, who gifted him with a 35 mm camera. As a self-taught photographer, Michael honed his skills deftly and became one of Lansing’s preeminent professional, freelance photographers for more than forty years. The Greater Lansing community would be hard pressed to find one family whose life has not been enhanced by “The Picture Man’s” keen eye for detail and consummate ability to capture the moment of film.

One of Michael’s most profound achievements was celebrated when he joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. It was a dream fulfilled, and he considered himself an esteemed Omega Man (and a “Q-Dog” on occasion). The Annual Q-Boat Ride was Michael’s brainchild as he envisioned a big party from the balcony of his Riverfront townhouse where he was a premier resident as early as 1979.

Michael, now single again, met Christina Long in 1996. They were married on Saturday, September 13, 2003, becoming a new family with her son, Trevor Buckner. Michael and Christina became members of New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Lonnie J. Chipp, Jr. and attending regularly until his health failed.

Michael had a massive array of friends from all walks of life and in every state of the union. He could be loyal to a fault, but his enduring faithfulness was unwavering as he nurtured each friendship personally. Michael Jennings LOVED to dress and smell good, as evidenced by his huge suit and shoe collections.

The grandchildren were the apple of his eye and Michael took great pride in doting on them, especially Mike Jr., who lived with him for a brief period and granddaughter, Makayla, the daughter he never had. He reveled in showcasing them at the annual Q-Picnic and splurging on expensive gifts.

Michael leaves to cherish his indelible legacy, wife, Christina Jennings; sons, Darin Bradley Jennings, Michael Anthony (Carla) Jennings, and Trevor Buckner; grandchildren, Makayla Pryor-Jennings, Michael A. Jennings, Jr., Jasmine Jennings, Trezdon Totten, and Michael Ray Daniels; 2 great grandchildren; sisters and beloved caregiver, Denise Johnson and Marilyn LaMar; brother, Dave (Sara) Jennings; nieces, Machele Lorf, Eloise Wright, Anita Deans, and Twayna Heggins; nephews, Arthur Lee Wright, Dave Jennings II, James R. Johnson, and Mark Deans; many cousins including special cousins, Wesely Ford, Darnell Ford, Bobby Ford, Velcia Wright, Verna Edwards, and Jackie Pollard; and a multitude of dear friends too numerous to mention but including special friends, Sterling & Becki Armstrong, Stanley Bush, Tam Harmon, Gayle King, Zoe Lattimer, Dr. Paul King, Carlos Parker, Michael Adkins, Lou Stone, Dr. Curtiz Merriweather, Stanley Maffett, Ralph Riddle, Jr., Rodney Singleton, Deborah Sudduth, Betty Thomas-Gilkey, WM Kilgore, JC Bard, Harold & Jennifer Pope, Melvin Farmer, and his fraternity Omega Phi Psi Brothers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lee Smith and Elisha Miller; sister, Lucille Dean; brother, Robert Dixon; nephew, Derek L. Dandridge; best friends, Frank Perez, Theophilis Harvey, and Stan Washington.