Mildred Lake

The Obituary of Mildred Oterah Lake
Mildred Oterah Dunlap was born on July 27, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan to Ralph Dunlap and Oterah Pierce. She received her formal education in Detroit Public Schools. Mildred met and married the late Nathaniel Lake, Sr. and to this union six children were born. Though Mildred aspired to continue her formal education, she became very busy raising her six children and working in the family restaurant business. Mildred and Nathaniel owned and managed four (4) restaurants for about 20 years: Speedy’s Barbeque and Grill, Brown’s Barbeque & Grill, The Prince Royal Restaurant, and Buddies Barbeque. Mildred was the consummate overseer of all things in the restaurants. She was head Chef, scheduler, personnel manager, bookkeeper, and Quality Control Manager. Mildred later worked for and retired from the U. S. Postal Service as a mail handler.
Mildred was an avid reader, which helped her to develop a keen sense of history, politics, and religion. This knowledge aided in her ability to converse with her children who went into many varied areas of business and vocation in the church. She had a wide variety of interests and activities including bowling, traveling, playing cards, playing bingo, shopping, watching movies and sports (particularly tennis and golf) on TV. She particularly enjoyed going on special movie “dates” with her son Nathaniel Lake, Jr. Mildred had a strong desire to become a writer. However, though a writing career did not materialize, she wrote in journals and diaries about what her children and grandchildren were doing. In fact, her most rewarding and enjoyable activities were the many family gatherings at holiday times, graduations, football parties, and “just because” visits and phone calls from her children and grandchildren. Mildred was also a life member of the NAACP.
Mildred accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Ecorse, Michigan under the late Rev. E. L. Todd and the late Rev. Joseph B. Barlow, Jr. She attended Mt. Zion with her husband (the late Nathaniel Lake, Sr.), their children, her mother-in-law and father-in-law, cousins, and other relatives for many years. Mildred served on the Senior Usher Board with her husband and his parents. In 2008, Mildred joined the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Southfield, Michigan under the Rev. Dr. David L. Roberson. She completed New Members Orientation and Spiritual Gifts classes. She faithfully attended worship services until she became too infirm.

Mildred made her end of life wishes known early on, and how she desired to prepare for her transition to glory. She spent the last week of her life at home in the loving care of her granddaughter, Tanya Smith assisted by the Henry Ford Health System Hospice Team. Left to celebrate Mildred’s life and cherish her memories are her children: Rev. Valerie (Thomas) Crump, Mrs. Mary (Phillip) Hill, Rev. Nathaniel (Patricia) Lake, Jr., Leonard McKinley (Marilyn) Lake; her 102-year-old mother-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth Hendrick; fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; special nieces Brenda (Willie) Harris and Marlys McDonald; special cousin, Marion Hogans; and a host of other special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Nathaniel Lake, Sr.; her siblings: Robert Dunlap, Louis Pierce, Lois McDonald, Al Sammons, and Franklin Crooke; a daughter, Elizabeth Oterah Lake, and a son, John Edward Lake.