Shirley M. Middlebrook (Lansing)

Mrs. Shirley M. Middlebrook gained her wings on Friday, March 25, 2022, at McLaren Greater Lansing, in Lansing, Michigan at the age of 74 years. She was born on Monday, February 16, 1948, in Covington, Tennessee the daughter of Oliver Glass and LueDella Hodge. 

Shirley, her mother, and her sister moved to Lansing, Michigan when she was 7 years old. She accepted Christ at an early age and throughout her life, Shirley remained steadfast and unmovable in her faith. As a long-standing member of Union Missionary Baptist Church (UMBC), Shirley worked with children in the Be a Star Reading Program, Junior Church, Vacation Bible School, and sang in the UMBC Inspirational Choir. She also served as a volunteer in the Women’s Ministry at Advent House. Shirley’s style, grace, and humble spirit were well known, along with her willingness to help others without judgment or reservation. 

Shirley was educated in the Lansing School District and graduated from J.W. Sexton High School and earned her associate degree at Lansing Community College. She then earned her bachelor's and master’s degrees in social work at Michigan State University.  After graduating, she was employed as a licensed clinical social worker. Shirley had many firsts. She was the first African American school social worker in the East Lansing School District; was among the first staff of clinical social workers for the City of Lansing and throughout the State of Michigan, and was one of the first African Americans to provide counseling at the National Council on Alcoholism. As a private practitioner, she worked with children, youth, and families.  Shirley provided grief counseling at Ele’s Place, a grieving center for children and adults. 

She held memberships with the National Association of Social Workers, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Jack and Jill of America, Red Cross Disaster Relief Services, Capital Area Response Effort, and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Our beloved Shirley leaves to cherish her memory: her loving and faithful husband of 50 years, Donnie; daughter, Melanie Williams; son, Damon (Darci) Middlebrook; her cherished blessings, granddaughter, Sharece Webb; grandsons, Troy (Kristal) Aubrey, and Jamarii (Mari F) Williams and six great-grandchildren, Jayden, Jeremiah, and Serenity Webb, Azalea and Annalecia Williams, and Alivia Aubrey; mother, LueDella Henderson and bonus mother, Clara Glass (Detroit, Michigan);  sisters,  Belinda Hodge and Mary (William) Hart and Peggie Ponder (Atlanta, Georgia); brothers, Louis (Evelyn) Glass (Delta, Alaska), William "Will" (Sandra) and Glen Glass (Detroit, Michigan);  Brothers- and sisters-in-law, Charles (Paulette) and Maurice Middlebrook, Al (Felicia) Johnson, Belinda Middlebrook, and Janilyn (Calvin) Jones and Gwendolyn Hemph; special heartbeats, Aunt Katherine and Uncle Ocie Middlebrook; Godson, Eddie Jackson, Jr., Goddaughter, Katia Outlaw; many loving nieces, nephews,  aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and friends including special friend, Royce Hairston, her Delta Sigma Theta Incorporated Sorors and Union Missionary Baptist Church family members.

Shirley was predeceased by her father, Oliver Glass; brother, Thomas Glass, bonus father, J.C. Henderson; maternal and paternal grandparents.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Timothy 4:7-8