Willie LeeNelomsCelebrating the Life and Legacy

of

OCTOBER 22, 1950—FEBRUARY 12, 2011OCTOBER 22, 1950—FEBRUARY 12, 2011

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2011SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2011FAMILY HOUR: 9:30 A.M. FAMILY HOUR: 9:30 A.M. CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 10:00 A.M.CELEBRATION OF LIFE: 10:00 A.M.

SERVICES HELD AT:SERVICES HELD AT:SCOTT MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCHSCOTT MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH15361 PLYMOUTH ROAD15361 PLYMOUTH ROAD

DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48227DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48227

REVEREND DR. ANTHONY HOOD, PASTORREVEREND DR. ANTHONY HOOD, PASTOR

The Life and Legacy of Willie Lee Neloms

Willie Neloms was born October 22, 1950 in Madison, Florida

to the late George Wallace Neloms and Willie Pearl Neloms. Willie later moved to Detroit, Michigan where he graduated with honors from Chadsey High School in 1968. Willie en-tered the United States Army and served from August 1968 to August 1974, when he received an Honorable discharge. He received numer-ous medals and commendations for his service in the Vietnam War, including a Purple Heart.

GOD’S FAITHFUL SERVANTUpon his return from the war, Willie faced many challenges, but God had a plan for his life. Willie was employed by Ford Motor Com-pany, Wixom plant for over fi fteen years, but was plagued with hard-ships. Willie joined Nar-cotics Anonymous in an attempt to turn his life around. One day after leaving an NA meet-ing held at Scott Memo-rial United Methodist Church, Pastor Andrew Allie invited Willie to fellowship in the sanctuary, and Willie expe-rienced God’s transforming power. Willie fre-quented services at Scott and became a member in 1992.

Willie made a commitment to improve his life and was devoted to the work of the Lord while a member at Scott Church. Willie worked dili-

gently with members of Narcotics Anonymous and was responsible for helping others to turn their lives around as well. Willie also served as a Communion Steward and an adult Sunday school teacher. He was very active in the youth ministry where he served as the Youth Coordi-nator. He served as a mentor and touched the lives of many young people at Scott Church. Willie served in the Men’s Choir and was Presi-dent of the United Methodist Men’s Group. Willie was active in the church drama club, and acted in several plays. He often volunteered his services as an electrical engineer to make main-tenance improvements around the church, such as installing fans and other fi xtures. Willie also volunteered his time to work on the church’s

landscaping.

EDUCATION, CAREER, AND COMMUNITY

SERVICEWillie obtained an As-sociates of Applied Sci-ence in Electric/Elec-tronics Technology from Wayne County Com-munity College in 1995, and graduated with

honors. In 1998, Willie graduated with honors from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology. He was a member of Tau Alpha Pi (Michigan Beta Chap-ter), Engineering Honor Society. Willie utilized his education to obtain employment at Siemens Westinghouse Technical Services, and was later

employed by DTE Energy as an electrical engi-neer technician.Willie was a member of Brewster’s Old Timers group which provides scholarships to youth. He was also a regular contributor to the United Negro College Fund, and Wayne State Univer-sity School of Engineering.

DREAMS COME TRUEOn July 26, 2003 Willie married the love of his life, Ms. Beverly Faye Martin. The two traveled together to such places as the Bahamas, Hawaii, Chicago, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia. The couple made Fri-day night their regular “date night,” and they loved to try new restaurants and go to the movies.

FAMILYWillie will live forever in the hearts of those he loved: his loving wife, Beverly Neloms; his children: Marrio Neloms, Willene Neloms, and Crystal Neloms; his stepson, James (Neicy) Brown and stepdaughter, Sherrhonda Denice; Sister, Vanessa Halliburton; niece, LaWanda Neloms; nephew, DeCarlo Neloms; his grand children: Christal Amos, Christina Amos, Christyonna Amos, Michael Neloms, Jaelon Neloms, and Khyrin Lewis; step-grandchildren: Joshua Brown, Jamie Brown, and Laurence Stewart, Jr.; Great nieces: Alexis Cain Neloms and Dekalyn Neloms; Great nephews: Maurice McNab and Marquis Houston; Special friends: Dr. Gerald (Treva) Thompkins, Marion Taylor, Rachelle Gill, and a host of other relatives and friends.

THE TESTIMONYThe life of Willie Lee Neloms is a testimony to what God can do! Willie overcame diffi cul-ties that often leave people hopeless. He did this through his faith in Jesus Christ! God en-abled Willie to turn his life around, earn a col-lege degree at the age of forty-eight, marry the

love of his life, travel, and live his dreams! Willie served God with his life! He became an in-strument in God’s hands, and through Willie, God touched many others. Willie gave God all the glory!

MY DAD, MY ANGELYour battle is now over, no more tears fl owing down your cheek,No more pain, no more suffering, now you are no longer weak.I still do not understand why this had to happen to you,But I am proud to say you are my Dad, the greatest man I ever knew.

Although you will not be here to walk me down the aisle,When that day comes I know you will be by my side with a smile.You were there for me and never once made me cry,Until the day you closed your eyes and had to say goodbye.Now you are my Angel, so spread your wings out wide,Please wrap them around me whenever you see me cry.Our time together was memorable and GOD took you way too fast,But the most precious thing to me was you being there for my fi rst breath,And me being there for your last. Love Pinky

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forge

et what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou.

Order of ServiceCelebrating the Life

of Willie Lee Neloms

Musical Prelude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Processional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Lord’s Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evelyn Nelson

Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Dr. G. Sabastian Vaughn

Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Psalm 23

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Dr. Anthony Hood, Pastor

Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amazing Grace

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Memorial Choir

Acknowledgement of Cards,

Telegrams, Resolutions and Condolences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Claudette McMillan

Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marion Taylor

Special Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Michael Nelson

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marion Taylor

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Louise Dickens

Song . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Total Praise

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Memorial Choir

Eulogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Dr. Anthony Hood

Recessional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Memorial Choir

Musical Postlude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16, KJV

He who fi nds a wife fi nds a good thing, and obtains

favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 18:22, NKJV

PallbearearsScott Memorial United Methodist Men

Flower BearersFriends of the Family

Final Arrangements Entrusted To:O.H. PYE, III Funeral Home

17600 Plymouth RdDetroit, MI 48227

313 838-9770www.pyefuneralhome.com

IntermentDetroit Memorial Park Association Inc.

4280 East 13 Mile Rd.Warren, MI 48092

Acknowledgement:The family of the late Willie Lee Neloms wishes to acknowledge with deep

appreciation the many comforting messages, fl oral tributes, prayers, and many other expressions of kindness and concern evidenced at this time in thought and

deed. A more personal acknowledgement will be made at a later date.

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