Mrs. Hallie Juanita Ennis

Our mother, Hallie Juanita Ennis (Ma), was born February 18, 1930 in Collingston, Louisiana. She was the eldest of two daughters born to James and Leanna Nelson. Ma was a young teen when the family migrated to Detroit. There she would meet the love of her life, Woodford (Woodie) Ennis. They were introduced by their mothers, who were friends, Leanna was a home hairdresser and his mom, Ruby, was her client. The universe sure had a way of lining things up, our mom told his mom she was going to marry him. Upon his honorable discharge from the U. S. Navy, destiny would stay the course, Hallie and Woodie were married on June 12, 1948. To this union, three beautiful children were born, Laura Jean, William James, & Robert Earl. Ma worked as a cashier for several major grocery stores until she retired, after 25 years of service. When she retired, life took on a whole new meaning, she committed herself to raising her grandchildren: Robbyn, Robert Jr., Erika, Melanie and Keeley. She added two more to the family tree “daughters” Janice and Toni. With that same dedication, like her mother, she became “Godmother” and “God- grandmother.” Family and friends entrusted her, she adapted to the personality of each child from infancy to adolescence. Ma provided a stable, fun-loving and nurturing environment that instilled strong basic values which they will carry with them always. Ma enjoyed other passions, jazz, dancing and sports. On the sports side she enjoyed baseball, football, basketball and sometimes hockey (she liked watching the fights!). On any given day, one might find her at home with games on a couple of TVs’ and the radio in the basement, while doing laundry. While working and being a homemaker Ma earned a high school GED, but more importantly, she earned her “Doctorate” in a life dedicated to her family and extended family. Over the years, she was sometimes teased in a loving way as being a “fuss box”. If she fussed at you that meant she loved you, more out of passion than anger, everyone knew exactly how to respond, “Yes, Grandma.” Unfortunately, late in her life Dementia with its accompanying aphasia (loss of speech), took away a voice we never wanted silenced. However, as her mother use to say, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat!” So Ma continued to communicate with us in her own way. Most famously with a “thumbs up” to indicate yes, and a “thumbs down” to indicate no. On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, after a life of grace and love showered on everyone she knew, our beloved Ma was called home. The lives she impacted in a positive way is her testimony. Her job here is done. God needed one of his best Angels. Hallie Juanita Ennis loved the Lord and relied on His love, grace and mercy. She leaves to cherish her memory; her children, Jean(Boice), Billy, Earl (Terry); her sister Cammie Marie Massey; grandchildren, Robbyn, Robert (Ania), Erika, Melanie, Keeley; great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Lily, Emelia and Seth, first cousins W C Williams and Glenda Bowles, her Toledo and California family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. She will be missed and ALWAYS loved. At bedtime she would often say this little prayer: “GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT, WAKE UP IN THE MORNING LIGHT, TO DO WHAT’S RIGHT, WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT, GOOD NIGHT.

Mrs. Hallie Juanita Ennis

February 18, 1930 - January 22, 2019