M. Marie Wagers-Ellison

M. Marie Wagers-Ellison, age 94, passed away on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. She is preceded in death by her husbands, the late William McKinley Wagers and the late Henira Ellison as well as her beloved grandson, Jason William Wagers. Loving mother of Bernie William (Carol) Wagers, Roy Lee (Debra) Wagers and loving American mother of Joe Sousa of Brazil. Proud grandmother of Diana, Tracy (Carl), Sherri (Eric), and Kelli (Marc). Dear great-grandmother of Nethan, Hayley, Emily, Caleb, McKinley, and Elijah. Proud great-great-grandmother of Soran. Loving sister of Monivene, Freda Mae, Tony Vinson, and the late Mary, Eva, John Wesley, McClellan, Davis Dean, and Wilson Clayton. Dear aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.

M. Marie Sparks was born in Key, Kentucky in 1923 and moved to Michigan in the fall of 1940. After graduating Brighton High School in 1941, she worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” building B-24s that were being produced at Willow Run. After the war, Marie and William settled in Walled Lake, Michigan where she started Marie’s Beauty Salon. In 1970 she graduated Cum Laude from Oakland University at age 47. She was a long time member of the Walled Lake Church of Christ of which her parents, Logan and Eliza Sparks, helped to establish the congregation. After many years in Walled Lake, they built their dream home in Highland Township and enjoyed gardening in their retirement years.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Walled Lake Church of Christ, 1403 North Pontiac Trail, Walled Lake, Michigan 48390. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to her sons, Bernie or Roy Wagers, to go towards Christian Scholarships.