Michael Lee Sizemore

Michael was born June 4, 1953 to Anna Compton and James Sizemore in Greensboro, North Carolina. He entered into eternal life on April 2, 2025 surrounded by love and listening to his favorite music. Mike moved to Memphis with his family at the age of 9. He was a member of the band and graduated from Hillcrest High School. He joined the Air Force, was stationed in Plattsburgh, NY and then Greece. While in Plattsburgh he met the love of his life, Barbara, whom he proposed to after one month. They moved back to Memphis where he graduated from Memphis State University with a Bachelor’s in education and a Master’s in Special Education. Barbara and Mike retired to Saint Simons Island, GA where he remained until moving to Poydras Home in New Orleans.

He will be met at the Pearly Gates with open arms by: his father, Jim Sizemore, mother, Anna C. Turner, step-father, CT Turner, and in-laws, Rita and Frank Cunningham. He will be cherished forever by his beloved wife of 50 years, Barbara Sizemore, daughter, Danielle Richmond (Miller), granddaughter, Turner Richmond, brother, Steve Sizemore (Janice), step-mother, Barbara B. Sizemore, sister-in-law, Mary (Mark), brother-in-law, Frank (Sharon), sister-in-law, Anne Marie (Alan), two nephews, 8 nieces, 14 great nieces and nephews, and innumerable friends who were family.

While our hearts are shattered by the passing of our beloved husband, best girl dad ever, father-in-law, Big Mike, brother, son, Uncle Mikey, brother-in-law, friend, and lover of Sazeracs, we find comfort in knowing we are left with wonderful memories, his unwavering love and support, and his amazing dad jokes. Mike Sizemore loved big and loved hard. As he always said, “You know I love you if I’m giving you a hard time.” We are better for knowing him, being loved by him, and most importantly learning from him, the consummate teacher until the bitter end. He found the greatest joy in his family, friends, and his many students and softball players. He truly lived by the golden rule and always saw the best in everyone. His passion for teaching and special education inspired his daughter to follow in his footsteps. We are proud to say he was an educator in Memphis City Schools for over 30 years. He provided not just an education, but a safe haven for his students. They filled his memories as he valiantly battled Parkinson’s Disease. However, he would tell you his greatest accomplishments were being a husband, father, and grandfather. He never met a stain he couldn’t get out, especially not when Danielle would bring him her friends’ clothes to save from the stain. He took great pride in his yard, mowing perfect lines every time. He beat a widow maker heart attack in 2007 and never wasted a second of his life. He fought a brave battle against Parkinson’s, Lewy Body, and ultimately cancer. At the end he was dealt a bad hand, but he would tell you everything before that was a home run (we know, we are mixing metaphors). He spent 18 amazing years as a teacher and softball coach at Kingsbury High School, finally retiring as an assistant principal from Overton High School after 30 years in education. Mike was an avid sports fan, supporting the Tigers through the highs and lows. And we all know there were plenty of both. He enjoyed coaching his daughter in basketball and softball when she was in elementary school. He is fondly remembered by her friends as “the dad”. His love for music ranged from Three Six Mafia to the Oak Ridge Boys and everything in between. We could go on for days, but must end here. We are beyond thankful for the years he had with Big Mike and the numerous people supporting us during this difficult time. We would especially like to extend our gratitude and love to the staff at Poydras Home for the extraordinary care and love they provided him and our family. Order his favorite New Orleans drink, a Sazerac, and cheers to all of the memories you have with him. He wouldn’t want it any other way.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Monday, April 14, 2025 at 12:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 10:00AM.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Amos Camden Riley Bock-Camp Marymount Memorial Fund. Camden was a graduate of West Point, and a Marymount alum who died serving our country. All things near and dear to Michael’s heart. This scholarship will allow children of Service Members to experience the joy that is Camp Marymount.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com