Mrs. Lycester Rhone Paige

The Life and Legacy of Lycester "Cessie" Paige: Lycester Rhone Paige, affectionately known as Cessie, was born April 10, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Squire and Rose Emma Burris. She was the youngest of six children. Four of her siblings preceded her in death: Detreich Lloyd Burris, Aczoria Dean Burris, Lavender Burris and Burnnie Minor. Cessie was educated in the Detroit Public Schools system and graduated from Mackenzie High School in 1966. She attended Macomb Community College, Marygrove College, Wayne State College of Life Long Learning and Kaplan Institute. She graduated in 2008 from Kaplan after receiving her Medical Billing/Coding Certification. Cessie accepted Christ early in her life and was baptized. She joined New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Wilma R. Johnson. Cessie sang in the choir and served in the Optimist Club. On December 6, 1969 Cessie married Melvin (Sonny) Paige, and through this union they were blessed with one daughter, Kortne. Although their marriage dissolved after 16 years, they remained friends, and were beloved and active members in each other’s family. (Cessie was still considered the fifth Paige sister). Through their marriage Cessie inherited one daughter, Donna Johnson; and through their lasting friendship, she acquired another daughter, Armel Baynes. Cessie was a smart, caring, creative and hard working woman. She worked for Army Tank Automotive Command, the Detroit Department of Housing and Urban Development, Wayne County Department of Social Services and following in the footsteps of her sisters, she worked for the Detroit Board of Education, retiring after 21 years. Her desire to learn more and remain active led to her second career after retirement as a Medical Biller at ABIX Solutions. Cessie was also a Super Poll worker for the City of Detroit Department of Elections for four years. Cessie and her siblings were friends to each other; and being the youngest, she held a special place in all of their hearts, particularly her oldest sister Blondy, who treated Cessie like she was her daughter; providing unconditional and endless love and support. Cessie’s love for her family was returned and exemplified by her being a cheerleader for each and every one of them. She was always willing to “be there” and to support her loved ones any way she could. Being the youngest in her family, becoming an aunt at the age of 8 and frequently living with her oldest sister’s family, Cessie was more like a sister than an aunt. She shared very special relationships with her nieces and nephews, being active and involved in their lives and the lives of their children. Having three generations of nieces and nephews, she played an integral role in the rearing of some of them. Cessie also shared a special relationship with her only daughter, Kortne. In addition to traveling, laughing and enjoying one another, they had the opportunity to live together again in 2013 when Cessie joined her in Boise, Idaho. Prior to Kortne moving to Boise, she lived in Georgia where Cessie frequently visited to care for Kori and Kennedy, and where her relationships with them was strengthened. Cessie’s desire to watch them grow kept her active. She enjoyed taking walks, teaching Kori to ride her bike, playing with them and found the time she shared with them invaluable. She loved being a grandmother! Being a mother and grandmother was the joy of Cessie’s life and anyone who knew her knew how much she loved her daughter and granddaughters. Cessie, known for being humorous, quick-witted, having a big heart and an outgoing personality, was easily called “Sassy” by many. She always had an interesting story to share about her daily life. She loved to sing and she loved to dance, often spontaneously breaking out in a verse or a jig. Her youthful spirit was matched by her youthful countenance, which defied her age. Cessie made her transition peacefully and quietly after a rough battle with respiratory issues on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. Her final desire was to walk and I’m sure she is “walking all over God’s heaven” with her family in heaven.

Mrs. Lycester Rhone Paige

April 10, 1949 - March 11, 2014