Fannie Gadson

Today we celebrate the life of Fannie Harville Gadson. She was born October 19, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the sixth child from the union of the late Fannie (King) and the late Thomas Harville. 

Fannie accepted Christ at an early age. She was a graduate of Parker High School and pursued accounting at Highland Park Community College. Fannie began her life as a wife when she married her husband Preston Gadson Sr. in 1952. Together they left their home state of Alabama and pursued better opportunities in Detroit, Michigan. In their union they had seven children. She had a love for sports and in her later adult years met Hargie Morrow while playing softball. In their union came four children.

Fannie diligently worked for over fifteen years as an assembly line laborer at Chrysler LLC., showcasing her strong work ethic and determination. Upon retiring, she spent the rest of her time volunteering at New Providence Baptist Church in Detroit.

In her leisure time, she would spend hours on the phone talking to her friends and family. You could catch her debatably reneging at a spades table, watching her favorite sports team, or her old-time favorite show Perry Mason. She was a spirited independent woman, who instilled advocating for oneself and teaching the values of right or wrong in each of her children and grandchildren. Her strength and resilience will forever live on in all of her family.

On Saturday, July 22, Fannie Gadson returned to her heavenly home, where she was warmly welcomed by her parents, siblings (Ruby, Glantwood, Arthur, Jennie-Mae, Thomas) and her children Horatio, Brenda, and Dallas, along with her grandson, Joseph, who preceded her in death.

As we celebrate Fannie’s life, let us remember her loving spirit, unwavering faith, and devotion to her family. She is survived by her sister Doris; daughters Yvette and Pleshette; sons Preston Jr., Jose (Annetta), Roderick (Johnnetta), Eric, Marcus, and Mark Anthony (Rebecca); grandchildren Nicolas, Olivia, Ashley, Antrenise, Christopher, Jason, Johnnathan, Courteney, Lawanda (Coby), Sharita, Veronica, Tiffany, Christina, Mariana, Sianna, Michael, Terreyah, Tekeyah (Andrew) and Teneyah (David). She is also survived by a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and longtime family friends.