Mrs. Willie Lee Pleasant left here peacefully surrounded by her son Howard, daughter Doris and grandson Quincy on Friday, May 1, 2020 at Covenant Hospital. Age 84 years. She was born to Alfred and Pearlie Brooks in Lombardy, Mississippi and was blessed in her lifetime to celebrate two birthdays, April 15 and April 21 (1936).
Willie was raised by her grandmother, Delia Jackson-Wesby. Willie and her sister Leanda came to Saginaw in 1949 to live with their father. A year later, they moved to Morehead, Mississippi, where she met the love of her life, Howard Pleasant and became his bride in 1951. To this union, two children were born, a son Howard Jr. and daughter, Doris Jean.
Willie had the love for Christ. She first confessed Christ at an early age in Morehead, Mississippi at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Porter. Any state she resided, she always found a place to worship and believed in sending her tithes up until her death.
After traveling from Mississippi to Indiana, Willie finally made Saginaw, Michigan her permanent state of residence in November 1958. She was an outspoken, hardworking woman that took pride in her work. She worked several jobs before working at St. Mary’s Hospital, where she served faithfully for thirty-six years as a housekeeper.
Willie soon became bored after retirement and obtained employment at the Soaring Eagle Resort for three years until her health began to decline. Mrs. Pleasant still loved going to bingo and the casino, where she loved to play Sizzling 7s, Gin Rummy (what we call 500) and watching In the Heat of the Night. She also loved the character Madea.
She is survived by her son, Howard (Debbie), Defiance, Ohio; daughter, Doris Jean, Saginaw, Michigan; grandsons, Quincy Jones, Quanta Faniel, Saginaw, Michigan, Demetrius Pleasant, South Carolina, Howard III, Defiance Ohio; granddaughters, Destiny and Alayah; fifteen great-grandchildren, including special great-grandson, Darius Brooks; three great-great-grandchildren; sister, Leanda Jamerson, Saginaw, Michigan; aunt, Laura McIntosh, Anderson, Indiana; three special nieces, Cordia Scott, Pearlie Mae Wesby-Adams, Patricia Morris; many other relatives and friends, including special friends Leaner Smith and caregivers, Jarvara Murphy and Kenyetta Myles.
Willie was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Pleasant; parents, Alfred and Pearlie Brooks; grandson, Alfonso D. Jones; two brothers, Charles Williams, RL Collins; four aunts; nine uncles; a niece and nephew; brother-in-law, Samie D. Jamerson; special friend, Robert Brooks.
The family would like to express special thanks to Suttney Winchester, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.
View Funeral Webcast
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willie Lee Pleasant, please visit our flower store.