Homegoing Celebration Of Reverend Willie Applewhite, Sr.
His service at various hospitals made him a recognized Chaplain at Spectrum North (Butterworth), Spectrum South (Blodgett), and Metropolitan Hospital. In addition, he visited many nursing homes, regardless of race, color, religious experience or beliefs. Rev. Applewhite used his "Hello… how is everyone I have not seen today", or "GOD loves you and So do I". These greetings would draw a crowd, and a smile.
Rev. Applewhite was a huge advocate of education and self-employment. He moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan with only a 4th grade education. He retired from General's Motors. He worked as a Plumber under his uncle Angelet Applewhite who was the first Black Master Plumber in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He insisted on pushing forward with his education. He attended classes at South High School, (and while in his 60's), evening classes at Godwin and Ottawa and completed the 9th grade level. Many would look at that and say "oh, that's too bad". Rev. Applewhite would smile at that and say "Praise the Lord!"
He was known for stopping anyone and asking them if they have a church home or telling the young men to pull up their pants. No one could slip past him in the churches' Narthex without a hand shake or a hug, because Rev. Applewhite loved the Lord and he loved the Lord's children. One of Rev. Applewhite's favorite songs was also his theme: "I will trust in the Lord until I die".
Willie leaves to cherish His precious memories; his wife, Nellie; his children: Izamae Payne, of Flint, MI; Celeste Vaught, Crystal Jackson, Tonya Applewhite, Lisa Knight, all of Grand Rapids, MI ; Stacy Applewhite, of Atlanta, GA; his sons, Willie Applewhite, Jr. of Muskegon, MI; Arthur Gardner, and Gregory Peacock of Grand Rapids, MI; his four sisters: Addie Couch, Ruthie Brewer, Virgie Jackson (Al-verson) and Ella Brown, all of Grand Rapids, MI. 30 grandchildren, 45+ great grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. "Thank you God, for 1 more day"
Rev. Applewhite is about the same size as my dad. I believe that was my 1st attraction to him, but as I got to know him better I just loved him for who he was. Let me tell you how I really got to know him. It was when I would go with him to visit the sick, mostly in the hospital. I thought he was really hard on the staff but they loved him. He would make everybody speak to him, and make the boys pull their pants up and all kinds of stuff like that. He taught me a lot about how to visit the sick. I now go visiting the sick be-cause of what I learned from him. He taught me that you don't have to talk a lot when you visit, silence is OK. He didn't just visit the "big shots", he visited any and everybody. His favor-ite thing to say daily as he stuck his finger up in the air "Thank you God for one more day" that was exactly what he said to me when I visited him 2 weeks ago. And he cried after saying it. Which is just like him. I'm going to miss my dad and role model. I really want to thank you Celeste and the rest of you for Sharing your dad with me.
Luddie Weddle
Unc, was a nice/funny person. He was ex-tremely ticklish. I found that out when I touched him on the back to get his atten-tion and he threw a whole bucket of fish and water on my head.
Dr. Cherrie Couch -Dowdell
My favorite memory of uncle Bill was the life long lesson at Fire Mountain. As I was cutting a well done steak. He asked "Why you sawin (sawing) on that steak? Pick that knife up. Hold it this way and cut the meat. Don't be mad at it. It's good. From then on I've been properly cut-ting steak, ordering medium well so it won't be so tough that I have to fight it and I won't watch another person stab their Steak.
Love Brianna
At family gatherings his prayers were very long. He always cried at church (emotional). He would visit the lonely elderly people at the hospitals and the staff knew his name. What a blessing. Well done faithful servant.
Terri James
I enjoyed his many visits to the hospital when I was working there, I assisted him in becoming a member of the Ministerial team within the Hospital. They gave him his own Butter-worth identity badge with his picture on it. He was so proud of that badge. I will miss him, he always showed his love to the pa-tients and prayed for them.
Precious Moss-Thomas
Tagged in: