Nena Denese "Mama Nena" Derrickson

DERRICKSON, Ms. Nena Denese "Mama Nena" - Age 61, passed away Wednesday June 29, 2016 at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital. Family hour 10:30AM Thursday July 7, 2016 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11AM. Reverend Letha McCray, officiating. Interment Perry Mount Park Cemetery, 878 N. Perry St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at funeral home 10:30AM Thursday. Ms Derrickson will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 1-8:00PM Wednesday. Mrs. Nena D. Derrickson was the first born, dearly beloved of Charles B. and Mary E. Wilburne on August 16, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Visitation Catholic High School, where she was called “Mama Nena,” a name that would follow her for a lifetime. She took college courses at University of Illinois at Chicago. Nena married Robert Stephenson of Panama and from their union a son, Nathan A. Stephenson was born. Nena relocated to Pontiac, Michigan in 1975. She did secretarial work, retail work and when she was unable to work due to injury, she helped other parents by providing childcare. She was a gifted artist and loved to read. She met her life partner Linell Derrickson and from their union a daughter, Lennetta Derrickson was born. They were married June 10, 1991. She helped to raise many of her husband’s children. She joined Universal Hagar Spiritual Church, Temple #6 in 1980 and served as Temple Mother and Secretary until her transition. Mrs. Derrickson leaves to cherish her memory: children, Nathan A. Stephenson and Lennetta Ferguson; grandchildren, Nate Stephenson Jr. and Nathia Stephenson, Dominique Houston, Ja'Mel Gilmore, Tre'Shaun Harris, Javon Franklin, Trevion McAfee; great-grandchildren, Nasariah Stephenson, NyAmber Stephenson, Gabrielle Stephenson, Breiahna Stephenson, Natalie Stephenson and King Houston; siblings, Charles Wilburne Jr. and Rev. Nora Wilburne; nieces, Veronica Wilburne, April Wilburne and Aja Henry; nephews, Charles Lewis and Steve Adams; and a host of other relatives and friends including church family, Shalonda, Ja’Wayne, Lisa, Christopher, KhrisShawnda, ShiAnne and Lynda. Mrs. Derrickson was preceded in death by her parents, Pastor Charles and Pastor Mary Wilburne; sister, Selena Roach; grandparents, Hugh and Nora Waters and Henry and Elizabeth Shelton and Sam Johnson, Walter “Doc” Wilburne; niece, Donzella "Donnie" Wilburne.

Nena Denese "Mama Nena" Derrickson

August 16, 1954 - June 29, 2016