Lessie Stapleton

Lessie Stapleton was born in Detroit on May 22, 1934. She was the seventh child of Oliver and Mabel Harris, and the youngest of the twins, Jessie and Lessie. Lessie was educated in Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Northwestern High School in 1952.

In 1958, Lessie married Albert Stapleton the love of her life, and to this union one child, Wayne Howard was born. Lessie and Albert were long time members of Twelfth Street Missionary Baptist Church, where they were married. Lessie was an active church member, serving on the Deaconess Board and singing in the choir.

Lessie was very proud of her work with young people. She worked as a paraprofessional and served in the lunchroom in Detroit Public Schools. Lessie was a very gregarious and outgoing person and she was loved and made friends everywhere she went. From Blackstone where she and Albert raised Wayne, to the facilities she lived in later in life, Lessie made her mark and will be remembered with love for her sweet spirit. Throughout her life, Lessie enjoyed music, the arts and comedy. In her later years she found joy in the entertainment and musical activities provided at her senior home.

Lessie was preceded in death by all her siblings, Raymond, Sylvester, Milton, Marion, Louise and Jessie. Her husband Albert preceded her in death in 1989. Lessie went to be with the Lord on December 20, 2019 after a lengthy illness.

Lessie leaves to cherish her memory her son Wayne (Tonja), grandsons Stephen and Adam, nieces Karen Garrette, Monet Robinson, Melodye Scott (Byron), Maureen Stapleton, Yvonne Way (Ronald), Cheryl Bunkley, Cynthia Bunkley, Gwen Persons, Carolyn Cruse, Corlius McQuerry (Alan), Regina Harris, nephews Previn Garrette, Kevin Garrette, James Stapleton, Robert Bunkley (Debra), Michael Harris, Larry Harris, special cousins Barbara Montgomery and Carolyn Gray and a host of other relatives.