Thomas "Pops" Aikens (Lansing)

THOMAS EUGENE AIKENS passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at the age of 82. He was born on July 13, 1938, to the union of Elder Robert and District Missionary Lola Mae (Kemp) Aikens in Lansing, Michigan.

Thomas was a lifelong resident of Lansing, Michigan, and accepted Christ at a very young age. He graduated from J.W. Sexton High School in 1956. He played basketball at the Lincoln Recreational Center. He was such an outstanding basketball player that he was recruited by the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters. Thomas worked for the State of Michigan, he was a Clerk for the YMCA in Detroit, Michigan, and Manager of the Crest Motel in Detroit. Thomas lived in Newburgh, New York for a period of time where he and his brother Charles owned a Clothing Boutique. He loved to dress his only daughter Faye from head to toe with all the latest New York fashions. Thomas was always dressed sharp as a tack and could wear a fedora hat like no one else. He had a very generous heart and opened his home to many of the homeless.

He was a huge sports fan, and he cheered his grandson Jodie on when he played football for the Indiana Hoosiers. His favorite teams were the Detroit Lions and of course Michigan State University. Go Green! Go White!

He was affectionately known by so many as “Pops” his favorite saying was “Homie don’t you know me, I know you know me, Homie”, followed by his infectious laughter.

Thomas leaves to cherish his memory his devoted daughter, Espanola “Faye” (Anthony) Robertson; grandchildren, Thomon Aikens, Yalanda Aikens, and Jodie Clemons all of Lansing, Michigan; 14 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rosemary Lou Aikens of Lansing Michigan and Deloris Anne Aikens of Detroit, Michigan; brother, Tyroe Wallace (Joi) Aikens of Powder Spring, Georgia; many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Elder Robert Aikens; mother, Missionary Lola Mae Kemp Aikens; sister, Tamera Jean Aikens and brothers, Charles, Andrew, Gerald, and Joseph Aikens.

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