Vernon Guidry

The date of February 14…Valentine’s Day….the day of love…..the day that the Master choose to call our loveable Vernon home…..totally befitting for this man that loved every one he came in contact with!  The loveable Vernon Jerome Guidry was welcomed to this word by his father Vernon Lee Greenwood and loving mother Inez on December 21, 1958.

Vernon was raised “in church” starting at the young age of 5 he attended Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor Ellis Hull alongside his grandparents, Ezekiel and Fannie Guidry.  At the age of   13 and his immediate family relocated to Detroit Michigan.  While there, Vernon committed his life to Christ and was baptized “In the River” by “The Queen” Pastor Martha Jean at the Home of Love Church.

Vernon got his first job at the age of 16 at Pizza Hut…where he developed his passion for cooking!  Through his hard work and dedication, he became the manager at Pizza Hut!  However, this was not enough for Vernon…he had bigger goals in mind.  These goals led him to employment at the 5 star restaurant….The Whitney in Detroit.  Although he was a talented and gifted pastry chef…he used this avenue to gain more knowledge and achieved the many skills that included preparing formal tables fit for a queen and table etiquette….this was an accomplishment he was very proud to have reached.

He spent most of his life in Detroit but 2008 he decided to move back to the West side of the State and again located in Benton Harbor.  On January 9, 2011, Vernon joined New Bethel under the leadership of the late Pastor Milton P. McAfee.  He began his work on the Usher’s Ministry on October 17, 2011, and began his loving ministry of service beside his mother Inez, his aunt, Eirlene Brown and his uncle Ivy Guidry who was chief usher at the time.   Vernon was extremely proud and loved being a servant in the house of the Lord!  His seriousness and dedication earned him the position of Chief Usher in 2016…he was proud as a peacock!  He took the service and position very serious, but one he was also serious about was his extremely fashionable appearance that included suits that let you know he was somebody!  He never had children of his own but because of his love for them he was ever present in the rearing of many…..naming them and giving that Uncle’s support to many!  He loved everyone that crossed his path!

Loving memories will always be in the hearts of those he left behind….his mother:  Inez Burton Hester, special friend: Eric Richardson;  Siblings:  Darrell Guidry, Charles Brown, both of Augusta GA;  Bernadette (Michael) Thornton, Detroit;  Tina Lavondo, St. Louis, MO;  Terrance (Katisha) Burton, Kalamazoo, MI;  Mary Burton, Denise (Reggie) Greenwood, Shaquille Burton, all of Benton Harbor;  Olajuwon Burton of Madison, WI and Snoria Greenwood of Florida;  Godchildren:  Tre Burton and Giovanni Osby; a host of Nieces and Nephews; Great Nieces and Great Nephews; Great-Great Nieces and Great-Great Nephews Aunts, Uncles, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father: Vernon Lee Greenwood; grandparents: Ezekiel and Fannie Guidry; Brothers:  Jaama L Burton, Anson Lee Guidry, Lee “Cheetah” Greenwood, James, Kevin, Anthony “Pete” Greenwood; and a sister Rosa Brown.     Today we celebrate the life or a wonderful man and friend….may we all purposely live our lives to keep the love he displayed alive!