Mr. Manuel Bennie Holcolm

In Loving Memory Of Manuel Bennie Holcolm, son of Bennie and Martha Holcolm, was born on December 13, 1937 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. Manuel, lovingly called “MB” by family and friends, was the middle child of three sons. Manuel’s parents were sharecroppers, and he began picking cotton with his parents at the young age of nine. In 1955, his family relocated to Flint, Michigan, and Manuel attended and graduated from Flint Northern High School in 1957. Manuel was an accomplished athlete. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University on a full-ride wrestling scholarship. As Manuel matriculated through high school and college, he accumulated a plethora of athletic accolades. In the two years he attended Northern, he was the only undefeated wrestler for two consecutive years. He served as team captain in his senior year and won the city championship. Manuel was also an avid boxer, winning the Golden Gloves. On February 28, 1999, Manuel was inducted into the Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame in the wrestling category. Of his many college accomplishments, the one most endearing to him was capturing the heart of Mary J. Stinson, his college sweetheart and the love of his life. Upon graduation, Manuel returned to Flint, and they were married on December 19, 1964. From their union came two children, Manuel J. and Juliann. Manuel began his career as a special education teacher, later became a probation officer for the city of Flint, and settled in as an insurance agent until his retirement in his late seventies. Manuel was also a very gifted singer and musician. He was in several bands, including The Quintones (1957) and E.J. & The Echoes. They were produced by Diamond Jim Recording and dropped I Stayed Away Too Long and Put A Smile On Your Face (1967). Manuel was a church musician at First Trinity M.B.C. (Flint) and the minister of music at Mt. Carmel M.B.C. (Flint). He was in the men’s and mass choirs of Christian Fellowship of Love (Detroit), and most recently, New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. In 2002, he and Mary produced a gospel album, My God, My Friend. Manuel also loved to travel, with one of the highlights being his trek to Israel and baptismal in the Jordan River. In the later years of his life, when things had slowed down significantly, you could count Manuel’s activities on one hand: he spent time at church, fishing, or watching a ball game. Manuel was a man of many gifts and talents. He was easygoing and one of the most peaceful people ever met. He had a deep love for God and his family. Having started working at nine, Manuel finally received the rest he truly needed on the early morning of November 15, 2024. Manuel was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie and Martha Holcolm, his brothers, Willie and James Holcolm, and his son, Manuel J. Holcolm. Manuel leaves to cherish his precious memory his loving and devoted wife, Mary Jacqueline Holcolm; his daughter, Juliann Deadrick (Carl), seven grandchildren: Aja and Claude Harper, ShaTarra, Treyvon, Montez, Shitierra, and Marquesha Holcolm, great-granddaughters: Nia Harper, Mckenzie Miller, Amirah’Lynn & A’Journi Holcolm, great-grandsons: James, Treyvon, Jr. and Malachi Holcolm, sisters-in-love: Emily Talbert-Holt and Barbara Ruckes, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends.

Mr. Manuel Bennie Holcolm

December 13, 1937 - November 15, 2024