Willie Sue Laury

Mrs. Willie Sue Laury was born November 13, 1933 in Shannon, Mississippi to Magnolia Sampson and Johnnie Lee Baskin. She fought a good fight and finished her race on Monday, August 19, 2019 at the blessed age of 85 years.

Mrs. Laury grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi and moved from there in 1962. She had a ninth grade education and got married at fourteen years of age to Sammie Staples, who preceded her in death. She later moved to Saginaw, Michigan where she met and married Nathan Laury, who also predeceased her.

Mrs. Laury was employed at Doyle’s Restaurant and Raymond Restaurant, where everyone talked about her magnetic smile and her switching walk! She first joined New Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Ike Laury and in 1971 she joined New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church under Reverend M.T. Thompson and later Reverend Robert E. Donald. She was President of the Gospel Choir and a member of the mission department. The Bible was her favorite book and she was always reading her Word.

Mrs. Laury loved gospel music, especially the Williams Brothers and the Jackson Southenaires. She enjoyed her morning cup of coffee while watching her favorite shows: Meet the Browns, The Fresh Prince and The Golden Girls. One of her favorite past times was going to the Saginaw County Fair and having French fries, shakes and elephant ears. An excellent cook in her own right, she enjoyed preparing meals for her family and was known for making homemade ice cream, caramel cake and lemon pies.

A loving wife, wonderful mother, adoring grandmother, good sister, loyal friend and great cook doesn’t even begin to describe the woman Willie Sue Laury was. She was a woman of God and her walk aligned with her talk. Her physical presence will be missed but her memory and legacy shall forever live on.

Mrs. Laury was preceded in death by her first husband, Sammy Staples; second husband, Nathan Laury; sons, Terry Staples and Jerry Duane; father, Johnny Lee Baskin; mother, Magnolia Sampson; stepfather, Ananize Sampson; sisters, Pearlie Phillips, Bessie Bland; and brother, Bobby Baskin.

She leaves to celebrate her life five children, Norma S. McLaurin, Janice M. Staples, Jacqueline (Lorenzo) Jacocks, Maurice B. and Malcolm B. Staples; stepchildren, Levi Clark, Charles, Ray, Wardell, Nate Laury, Addie Mae Laury; grandchildren, Natalie Johnson, Antoine “Tweet” (CanDyse) Tatum, Annie (Anthony) Carson, LaMarr (Jordan) Woodley, Christon Staples, Diontae Laury, Shanequa Braggs, Jeremiah McLaurin, DeMarcus (Joy) Jacocks, Chari Elle Staples; sisters, Millie Baskin, Gladys Long, Elizabeth “Ann” Baskin, Belinda (Reggie) Booker, Georgia Foote, Jacqueline Fleming; brothers, James Long, Robert Baskin, Michael Baskin, Kiley Bland; special nieces, Tenesha (James) Cork, Gladys Murray; special nephew, Vaughn (Deborah) Murray; special cousins, Ruther Mae Conner, Joann; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including special friends Hattie Dunn, Pecola Thompson, Ann Jordan, Clinton McMillon, Davis Lee, Freddie Sykes, Luella Fleming, Clara Jackson Tatum and Terry Woodley.

The family would like to express special thanks to Great Lakes Pace in Saginaw, Michigan, Wellspring Lutheran in Frankenmuth, Michigan, aides Connie and Belinda, Geraldine Thorne, Troy Webb, Sr., Alex Tillman, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.

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