Mattie Bell Henley

Mattie Bell Henley was born October 24th, 1937, to the late Louis T. And Mattie Bell Davis, in Brownsville, Tennessee, the 5th of 7 children. She was her mother’s namesake and some say the apple of her eye.

Mattie B. professed Christ at an early age at New Hope Church, in Brownsville, Tennessee. She was united in holy matrimony to the late Freddie Henley. To this union, six children were born.

In 1955, Mattie and Freddie migrated to Detroit in search of better opportunities. She took full advantage! She worked at Harris Elementary as a lunch aide, teacher’s aide, and eventually became a teacher in Detroit Public Schools. In 1973, she graduated with an associates degree from Oakland University, and in 1975, she obtained her bachelor's degree in Education from Wayne State University. She retired in 1998, but her love of teaching brought her back to the classroom from 2000 to 2003.

Mattie Bell was an active member of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church. She served on the Pastor’s Aide Society, usher board, and was responsible for the scripture reading during Bible Class. She attended Sunday School and served the Baptist Pastor’s Fellowship of Detroit and Vicinity, monthly.

Mattie was active in her community as well. She registered people to vote in the 70’s and worked the polls ever since. She supervised her own polling location for nearly 20 years. One of the highlights of her political activism was helping to get President Obama elected for both terms. Affectionately called “Big Mama” by her descendants, she was a pillar of her family. She loved to travel, especially to the “Bond, Currie, Douglass” and “Davis” Family Reunions. She was recognized as the oldest living Davis by family far and wide. In her leisure time, she loved talking on the phone, playing cards, exercising on the Detroit Riverwalk, and getting everyone together for home cooked meals. Big Mama was proud of her four generations of descendants. She was known to count them at family events.

Mattie B. Henley made her transition on Sunday, March 19th. She leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters, two sisters, twelve grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A visitation for Mattie will be held Friday, March 31, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236. A family hour will occur Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Jamison Temple Baptist Church, 12530 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI 48215. A funeral service will occur Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Jamison Temple Baptist Church, 12530 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI 48215.