Essie Mickens, aged 94, of Cassopolis, Michigan, passed away on August 21, 2023. Born Essie Mae Mickens on December 2, 1928, in Gosport, Alabama, she was a beacon of resilience and reliability, qualities that shone brightly throughout her life.
Essie was an ambitious woman of faith. She was an active member of The First Baptist Church of Vandalia, Michigan, where she sang in the choir and attended services every Sunday. Her creative spirit was evident in her love for studying the Bible and her dedication to worshiping God. She also found joy in playing bingo and caring for her pet cats. Essie’s love for her family and church family was fervent and unwavering. She was always there to lend a hand or heart to those in need. As the Bible verse in Proverbs 31:25-26 states, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
Essie is survived by her siblings Annabell Wolford, Maggie Kleckly, and Theopolis Johnson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Williamson and Joe D Calhoun, her beloved husband, John Mickens, and her siblings Grethel Hudson and Jasper Johnson Jr. She also leaves behind a host of cherished nieces and nephews.
Throughout her life’s journey from Gosport, Alabama, to Mobile, Alabama, then to Elkhart, Indiana, and finally making her home in Cassopolis, Michigan in the mid-1950s, Essie’s resilient spirit was a guiding light to all who knew her. Her memory will remain a source of strength and inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of being part of her life.
We encourage those who knew and loved Essie to share their memories and upload photos to her memorial page. Your stories and pictures will serve as a testament to Essie’s life and the love she shared with those around her.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.