Elijah E. Posey

Elijah E. Posey, Age 97, passed away March 24, 2019.

E.L. Posey (his birth given name) was born February 27, 1922 in Albany, Georgia to Elizah and LeBertha Posey.  He was the youngest of seven siblings. E.L.’s mother died at an early age of 37 and later on, his father moved the family to Florida.   After the move to Florida, his father passed and he was raised by his sister, Leva Overstreet.

In 1941, E.L. convinced his sister to sign for him to enlist in the Army.  It was at this time that he was told that he had to have a full name and not just initials; so, he gave himself the name of Elijah Edward Posey. Six months after being in the Army, Pearl Harbor was attacked and World War II began.  Elijah served as a truck driver throughout Europe until the war ended in 1945.

After his discharge from the Army, Elijah moved to Detroit, Michigan where he met and married Juanita Ford (Deceased 2007) in 1947.  To this union, Juanita gave birth to daughter, Estelle Leva Posey and son, Elijah Edward Posey, Jr. (Deceased 2001).

With the help of his father in-law, Charles Ford, Elijah built the family home and moved to Inkster, Michigan.  Elijah had great respect and admiration for his father in-law, who was a highly recognized bible scholar; and, because of him, he was converted and joined First Missionary Baptist Church, where he served faithfully as the church bus driver and President of the Trustee Board.  In later years, he united with the Church of Christ.

For 30 years, Elijah worked for Chrysler Engine without ever missing a day of work. The only exception was when he attended his sister’s funeral in Florida. He never had a sick day off; and, it was only in his later years that he even took vacations. He also became a Boy Scout Leader in hopes of being an influence to young boys in the community. In 1990 the family opened Posey’s Kitchen, a restaurant and catering business.

During the course of his life, Elijah was recognized for his Outstanding Service in Building Maintenance from the Carlysle Avenue Church of Christ; a Certificate of Appreciation from The Wayne County Commission with The Downtown East Citizen’s Radio Patrol for outstanding leadership and for his relentless hard work and dedication in the community. A Certificate of Appreciation for Faithful Service to the City of Detroit Community for dedication as a member, Equipment  Officer, Driver and Observer, for outstanding handy work around the office, for inspirational words of wisdom, caring and compassion for fellow members.

Elijah moved to Georgia at the age of 90 under the loving care of his daughter, Estelle.  He received his Certificate of Membership from Cross Culture Church for successfully completing The New Beginnings Class on July 15, 2012. He was loved by all and spoke highly of everyone to his friends on how he was treated like a king by the church members. Elijah had told his family that the Lord had told him to get his house in order and on Sunday, March 24, 2019, after celebrating his 97th Birthday, God brought him home with a smile on his face.

Remaining to rejoice in his homegoing: 2 Daughter’s, Lessie Wilson (Husband Leroy of Conn.); Estelle Green; 4 Grandson’s: Charles Maurice Ward and Leroy Wilson Jr. of Conn.;  Lingo Levell Green and Aja Nile Moore-Green of Georgia and one Granddaughter, Sharecee Castelow of Mich.; 11 Great Grandchildren and one Great Great Grand Daughter and a former sister in-law, Elnora Ford who cared for him in Michigan before his move to Georgia. A host of loving nephews and nieces from Florida, Texas and Michigan.  4 Loving New Seasons Int’l students: Denver, Michael, Methembe and Sikosana  and finally, his Care giver, Angela.