Mildred May Vickers' Obituary
A Time to be Born:
On June 27, 1923, Mildred May was born in Sylacauga, Alabama to the late Lillie Louise (Moore) Roberson and Dosie Roberson.
A Time to Plant:
Mildred grew up in Talladega, Alabama with her mother and stepfather, Luvell Hill, a deacon at Talladega Church of God. Because her mother was the youngest of ten and Mildred was an only child, she spent many days with her myriad cousins of the lineage of her maternal grandfather, Bedford Moore.
Mildred received her education at Lane Chapel Elementary School, Westside City Middle School, and Drewry High School, all in Talladega. She developed strong Christian faith as she attended Sunday school, weekly worship services, and the myriad special programs held at the Talladega Church of God.
A Time to Love:
Mildred met the love of her life, Levoid Cano Vickers, Sr. on the campus of the Alabama Institute for the Deaf, where they both were employed. They were married on July 16, 1943 and enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage until his passing in May 2002. To this union eight children were born, Chesalon James, Levoid Lynn, Jr., Samuel Vernon, Pulaski (Skeet), Danny Kaye (deceased 1987), Terry Eugene, Sheila Bardell, and Jacqueline Maria. Later God special gifted them with two adoptees: daughters Marilyn Ann Holloman-Brown (deceased 2013) and her cousin, Hazelene Swain.
A Time to Build:
In 1946, Levoid Sr. and Mildred moved to Detroit, Michigan, and finally settled the family in Royal Oak Township. Mildred never learned to drive a car. She did find employment as a paraprofessional in the neighborhood. With her firm yet peaceful personality, she enjoyed a long and successful career that aided in the learning development of elementary school children at the George Washington Carver Elementary School, from which all eight of her children graduated. She later worked in the Oak Park School District and all eight of her children graduated from Oak Park High School. Furthermore, Mildred served as chairperson for the Chapter 1 Ancillary Board and for three years on the resident board of the Oakdale Housing Cooperative. Over the seventy-some years living and raising her family in Royal Oak Township working at neighborhood schools, and serving on the housing cooperative, Mildred was widely known in the community and highly respected.
A Time to Embrace:
Mildred spent many devoted years serving the Lord at three area churches: Caniff Street Church of God in Christ, Elder Alex Jones, pastor (1947 to 1953); the Wisconsin Avenue Church of God (1953 to 1981). In obedience and support to her pastor the late Rev. Roosevelt Williams, Jr., in 1981, she became one of the founding members of Greenfield Avenue Church of God and continued faithful service when in 1991, Rev. Michael Coleman became pastor there. The Greenfield congregation elevated her to the Mothers’ Board, and she became known far and wide as Mother Vickers, a dedicated intercessory prayer warrior. She prayed for others daily, literally to her last remaining breath.
A Time to Laugh:
Mother Mildred loved to spend time with God, but when not busy taking care of others you could find her watching sports with her sons, daughter, and grandchildren. You may even have heard her yelling at the players or the referees for questionable calls. She got many a laugh watching Tyler Perry’s Madea movies, too.
A Time to Weep for Joy:
On December 25, 2021, Christmas morning at approximately 9:45 AM, at the age of 98 years old, and during family prayer, Mother Mildred May Vickers received the ultimate gift – eternal life – she went home to be with her Lord and Savior. Left to continue celebrating a legacy of love and prayers are her sons: Chesalon Vickers (Constance), Levoid Vickers, Jr. (Veronica), Samuel Vickers (Dorothy), Pulaski (Skeet) Vickers, Terry Vickers (Cynthia); daughters: Sheila Phillips (Larry, deceased 2016), Jacqueline Williams (Jerome), Hazelene Swain; son-in-law, Hubert Brown; two stepsisters: Stephanie Hopkins and Viola Williams; two sisters-in-law: Central Brown and Ida B. Seamon; a special cousin, Frances Jasper; godchildren: William Roseboro II and Marion Ann Roberts; twenty-four grandchildren: Tracey, Dawanya (Ava); Terri (David), Levoid III, Ishraq (Greg), Shawn; David (Brandy), Joseph (Lisa), Clyde (Lisa), Australia (Greg) Jazmine, (Darnell, deceased 2018), Gerry, Terry, Cynznitra (Robert), Terron (Kendra), Larry II (Shavonne), LaJuan, Jerika (Sam), Jerome Jr.(Michelle) Nefertoria, Sharnae, Marcia, Darryl (Gwen), and Curtis, Forty-six great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, family, friends, neighbors, and her Greenfield Avenue Church of God Family.
What’s your fondest memory of Mildred?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mildred?
Share a story where Mildred's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mildred you’ll never forget.
How did Mildred make you smile?
