Shirley Broadnax (Lansing)

Mrs. Shirley Ruth Broadnax, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend entered into eternal peace on the evening of Monday, March 30, 2020. Age 80 years. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded with love and comfort by her son, Clarence Hassel, and her daughter and niece, Sonya Ford-Anthony. Several other family members were able to express their love to her while she was in the hospital via Live video while she was still able to see and hear them. We are with heavy hearts knowing that our beloved Mom, Moma, Auntie, Grandma, Granny, and friend will no longer be here with us physically, but she will forever be with us in spirit. There is joy in knowing that her long fought battle with pain and illness is no more.

Shirley was born June 15, 1939 in Eldorado, Arkansas to Velma Dismuke and L C Hassell. She was the eldest of two children. She held an extremely close bond with her only sister, Elizabeth (Liz) Morgan, until her passing in 2007. She attended public schools in Eldorado, Arkansas and later in Lansing, Michigan. Shirley started her faith walk at an early age in Eldorado and continued throughout her adulthood. She was an active member of her churches and enjoyed helping in various ministries.

Shirley worked to help provide a comfortable life for her family from the time she was a teenager. She worked many years at Michigan State University before moving out of state. She later returned to Lansing and began working for Special Transportation. During most of her life she always worked a second job, had rental properties, or operated a homebased business.

Shirley later entered into her second marriage with the love of her life, Jessie Broadnax. With this union, they decided to reside in Seattle, Washington. After Jessie’s retiring from being a business owner, they moved to Moses Lake, Washington. This allowed them to live their dream life. They cooked and ate the freshest foods, entertained, enjoyed nature’s beauty, and traveled wherever their hearts desired. After the sudden passing of her beloved husband Jessie, Shirley decided to come back home to Lansing to be with her son, Clarence, who was her heart, and her best friend and sister, Liz. She looked forward to seeing and spending time with all of her family. She enjoyed going to the children’s games, birthday parties, weddings and all family gatherings.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memory, son, Clarence Hassel; daughter/niece, Sonya Ford-Anthony; grandsons, Tyree (Heather) Daniel, Travis Young, Clarence (Tashila) Hassel, Jr., Patrick (Rakia) Hassell, Dominic Roberts and Darius Anthony; granddaughter, Sade Johnson; great grandsons, Ethan Daniel, Evan Daniel, Ean Daniel, Clarence Hassel III, Devonte Hassell, Patrick Hassell, Jr., Travis Yourg, Jr.; great granddaughters, Haleigh Hassell, Hazel Hassell and Elianna Soto-Young; nephews, Ronnie Ford, Willie (Cathy) Morgan, Jr., John (Cindy) Morgan and Donald Wayne McCovey, Kenneth Peoples; nieces, Sandra Morgan, Deborah Kirby and Elaine (John) Crawford; great nephew, Ronnie Ford, II; great nieces; Shamika Willis, LaKeeka (Cameron) Burrell, Briana Ford, Airiel (Scott) Peoples-Juergens and Kendara Peoples; many other cousins, family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband, Jessie Broadnax; best friend and sister, Elizabeth (Liz) Morgan; aunts, Pinkie Dismuke and Lillian Keyes; niece, Karen Baseemah Peoples; nephews, Terry Morgan and Keith Morgan; special cousins, Ruthie Dismuke and Diane Dismuke.

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