Willie Mae Whimper Nelson (Lansing)

Mrs. Willie Mae Whimper Nelson passed Thursday, April 22, 2021, at Brookdale Delta Senior Living in Lansing, Michigan. Age 100 years. She was born August 30, 1920, in Frenchmans Bayou, Arkansas. Her family moved to Tennessee when Willie Mae was 6 and she received her education in the Lauderdale County school system.

Willie Mae accepted Christ as her personal Savior at a young age and joined Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Ashport, Tennessee. She worked in the church and served as an usher until she moved to Ripley, Tennessee where she served as an usher at Holly Grove Baptist Church.

Willie Mae was well known in and around Ripley, Tennessee as a hard worker and a great cook. She cooked at Golddust Elementary School and then Ripley High School for over 30 years. She was famous for her homemade dinner rolls and chicken and dressing.

Willie Mae was blessed with 2 children, Earl Whimper and Marsie Whimper. She encouraged them to work hard and complete their education.

In 2002, Willie Mae moved to Lansing, Michigan to live with her daughter where she united with Friendship Baptist Church. She loved the members of Friendship and they all made her feel right at home. She loved attending Sunday School and Worship service.

One of her greatest joys occurred on August 30, 2020, when she turned the age of 100. She was amazed that God had blessed her to live so long.

Willie Mae leaves to cherish her memory her beloved daughter, Marsie (James) Douglas; five grandsons: Guy Whimper, Vanceboro, North Carolina; Stacy Dees, Covington, Tennessee; Ashley Mazique and Earl (Tashima) Whimper, Jr, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Anthony (SaRina) Douglas, Lansing, Michigan; sister, Lillie Jamison, Lansing, Michigan; one daughter-in-law, Inell Whimper, Vanceboro, North Carolina; 19 great-grandchildren, 33 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, friends, and other relatives.

Willie Mae was preceded in death by her last husband, Ellis Nelson; parents, Bertha and John Whimper; stepfather, John Jamison; son, Earl Whimper; sister, Jessie Mae Brady; brothers, Joe Rufus Jamison, John Jamison, Jr., Napoleon Jamison, Rev. Cleaven Jamison, and Elmore Jamison.

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