Mrs. Velvet Lee Flucker

Mrs. Velvet Lee Flucker, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and Matriarch of the Flucker family, passed into eternity on April 17, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. Her passing is mourned and her transition into glory is celebrated by her family and by countless individuals whose lives she touched in her earthly sojourn of 82 years. Velvet was born to the union of Mr. Earnest Smith and Miss. Laura Chattman in Church Hill, Mississippi on May 4, 1940. She is preceded in glory by her husband of 49 years, Elder Willie Flucker Sr., her eldest daughter, Mrs. LaTonda (Roosevelt) Crawford and her brother, Mr. Sonny Chattman. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. LaShond (Keith) Morrison; two sons, Colonel Willie (Benita) Flucker Jr. and Mr. Erik (Sonya) Flucker; two sisters, Mrs. Bobbie Hollins and Ms. Viola Smith; twelve grandchildren, four great grandchildren and a host of godchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. As a child and direct descendant of French African-American and Choctaw Native-American farmers in the south, Velvet and her younger brother, Sonny, were raised by various family elders in Mississippi. Her family later moved to Detroit, Michigan as part of the great African-American migration. Beginning at a very young age, Velvet had visions that transcended her present circumstances and pointed to the potential in her life and the lives of those around her. She was encouraged by her grandmother, Viola Smith, her great, great grandmother, Mrs. Roseanna Anderson, and Mrs. Bessie Chattman (who she affectionately called "Lil' Ma'" ) to embrace these visions as prophetic guidance helping her navigate an era of racial and gender discrimination to become the person God meant her to be. Determined to reach her prophesied potential, Velvet excelled in academics at Detroit Cass Technical High School and the nursing program at Wayne State University; overcoming myriad disadvantages and surpassing the expectations of a society biased against African-American academic achievement. Velvet married Willie Flucker Sr., the king worthy of the queen she saw in herself, and together they raised a family of four children with whom she shared her knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ and her confidence in their ability to become the best version of themselves. A lifelong student and teacher of the Bible, Velvet believed strongly that God blesses His believers so they may be a blessing to others. She taught that words inspire, but hard work transforms. Accordingly, she was a founding member of the neighborhood beautification committee, encouraging self-initiated improvements in neighborhood homes and businesses often forgotten by municipal renovation projects. She spearheaded the effort to improve Detroit Public School facilities and resources by convincing local businesses that education is a sound business and community investment - a forerunner of today's nationally recognized Adopt-A-School programs. Most importantly, Mother Flucker was a powerful prayer warrior. Every day for more than a generation she turned her home in Northwest Detroit into a temple of the Holy Spirit, going to God on behalf of hundreds who needed to experience God's truth, power and comfort in their lives. Throughout her life, Velvet Flucker was a light in her family and her community; a source of spiritual guidance and unfiltered truth tempered with unconditional love and generosity. This remarkable woman of vision encouraged, and assisted hundreds of people, young and old, to pursue their maximum potential earning, in word and deed, the titles of Matriarch and Mother of Many. "In memory of a remarkable woman, Mrs. Velvet Lee Flucker. Your legacy will always live on, however your presence will be missed. God said, daughter well done."

Mrs. Velvet Lee Flucker

May 4, 1940 - April 17, 2023