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Martha Earlene Strong (Cayson) (nee McKay)
Born: 9/11/1927
Died: 4/7/2017
Age: 89
Community: Flushing, MI
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STRONG, Martha Earlene (Cayson)(nee McKay) – Of Flushing, age 89, died Friday, April 7, 2017 at Hyde Park Assisted Living.
Funeral service will be held 11am Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 6273 Miller Road, Swartz Creek,
Pastor Chris Yeager officiating.
Burial in Crestwood Cemetery.
Visitation 2-8pm Monday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint.
Earlene was born on a farm in Mantachie, MS, on September 11, 1927, to Almus and Nomie McKay. On March 2, 1946, she married David O’Neal Cayson, in Mississippi and they moved to Michigan in 1947 where David had found work at General Motors. They became members of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, the precursor to Cornerstone Baptist Church of Swartz Creek. It was through this church they developed many long and enduring friendships, which continued until the present. In 1954, Earlene began working at General Motors, with most of her employment at GM’s Inland Fisher Guide-Coldwater Road sewing seatbelts and later general assembly. She and David were married 42 years until this passing January 8, 1989 after a long illness. Earlene continued working until her retirement in 1993. It was at this point she and various friends began traveling to numerous locations throughout the world. Earlene always said she would “visit many of the places I only read about in novels”. At age 71, she met and married Lyle Strong on November 11, 1998 and they enjoyed nine years together, traveling, decorating their condo and entertaining friends and family, until his passing in February 2008. Earlene had a passion for baking and cooking and was always trying a new recipe she found and was a fabulous cook until her health no longer allowed her one of her greatest joys.
Earlene and David Cayson had one child, Brenda (Cayson) Bridgett. She and her husband Bob live in Mundy Township. Earlene was very proud of her only grandchild, Stacey Michelle-Bridgett Sprick and husband, Philip of Ann Arbor, MI. Stacey and Philip gave Earlene two great-grandchildren, Nathan Robert Sprick (15) and Sophia Danielle Sprick (12). Earlene had always been an avid seamstress, sewing and crocheting for her family. When arthritis attacked her hands, then later after Dementia set in, her heart was broken to not be able to crochet items for her great-grandchildren and her granddaughter.
Earlene is also survived by a loving sister, Bobbie Nell Hinds (and her family) of Baldwyn, MS, a brother, John McKay (and his family), of Tupelo, MS and a sister-in-law, Janice McKay of Swartz Creek (and her family). Earlene has many nieces and nephews and their children in MS. She is also survived by her many dear friends, especially her Sunday School Class at Cornerstone Baptist Church and the Senior Group there which she loved being a part of.
The family wishes to thank Judy Cook and Sherrie Hugan who were both friends and caregivers to Earlene as her health began declining. Thanks also to the entire team of Aides at Caring From the Heart Home Care for the 24/7 care in Earlene’s home. Lastly, the staff at Hyde Park Memory Care in Flushing Township, were a godsend to the family along with Heart to Heart Hospice. But the true blessing to this family has been the help, guidance, support and care provided through Attorney Craig Wright and his team, (including John Turner, MSW) with Wright and Metcalf Attorneys, PC, in Flushing, MI.
She is predeceased by her parents, a sister Mary Magdalene McKay, and brothers Charles McKay (and his family), George McKay, and Joe Edward McKay.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Earlene’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Rd., Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033. Envelopes will be available.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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4/7/2017 |
| Time: |
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| Visitation 2-8pm Monday at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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4/11/2017 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
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| Location: |
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Cornerstone Baptist Church
6273 Miller Road
Swartz Creek, MI Get a Map to this location...
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| Official: |
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Pastor Chris Yeager |
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