Fannie Costella Murchison

She was born on Monday, January 27, 1936, in Martin, Tennessee to Norther and Lillie Templeton, one of 9 children.

Fannie moved to Lansing, Michigan to complete high school, graduating from J. W. Sexton High School. After high school, Fannie married and had four children, Laura, James, Kevin and Dennis Murchison. As her children grew, Fannie worked at several places before becoming everyone’s favorite cashier for 30 years at Meijer Thrifty Acres, where she retired from in 1998. Fannie was also a slow-pitch softball pitcher! She and her women’s softball team won several city and state championships in Michigan in the 1960s.

Fannie also had a lifelong love of Jesus and serving in various ministries in church! She united with Friendship Baptist Church in the late 1950s. She was in the Chancel and Inspirational Choirs, president of the Usher Board including starting a Youth Usher Ministry, faithfully attended vacation bible school and Sunday School, and served on the Bereavement Committee. Additionally, she was a member of the Reachout Mission Circle where she was instrumental in negotiating turkey purchases for the church’s thanksgiving meals given to families in need. Later in life, she became a member of Trinity Church where she served as a greeter until her health left her unable to.

She leaves to cherish her memory four loving children, Laura, James, Kevin, and Dennis Murchison; one granddaughter, Michelle (Rolan) Witherspoon of Fairfield, Ohio; 2 great grandchildren, Isaiah and Kyle Witherspoon of Fairfield, Ohio; sister, Mary Bufford; four sisters-in-love, Kathy Templeton, Laura Neal, Allie (Andy) Jones and Barbara (Dennis) Grady; niece, Marilyn Hayes; great-great niece, Diariana Banks; great-great nephew, Deon Banks; many additional nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends including special friends Christine Johnson, Ruth Akins, Evelyn Walker, and Denise Cloeo.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Norther and Lillie Templeton; 5 sisters, Lessie Templeton, Shirley Elliot, Beatrice Watson, Annie Paden and Betty Jean Jones; 3 brothers Hulon, Boston, and Norther Templeton and many other loving family and friends who greeted her at the Gates of Heaven!

A visitation for Fannie will take place on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Tiffany Chapel, 3232 W Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48917. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM, with a one-hour prior visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, at Trinity Church, 3355 Dunckel Rd., Lansing, MI 48911. Fannie will be laid to rest in Deepdale Memorial Gardens on Friday, June 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM, 4108 Old Lansing Rd., Lansing, MI 48917.