Elmer M. Cordell

Cordell, Mr. Elmer M.- Age 73, peacefully departed this life to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Friday October 19, 2012 at William Beaumont-Royal Oak Hospital. Family hour 10:00AM Saturday October 27, 2012 at Zion Christian Church, 3668 Livernois Troy, Michigan 48083, with funeral service commencing at 11AM. Pastor Scott Morgan, officiating. Interment Perry Mount Park Cemetery, 878 N. Perry St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10AM Saturday. Mr. Cordell will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Friday. Mr. Elmer Mickinly Cordell was born October 13,1939 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to the late Spencer M. and Lula B. Cordell. He had nine siblings, one sister, Ernestine and two brothers, James and Donald who preceded him in death. Elmer was married to the late Shirley Jean Cox-Cordell and to their union one child was born. Elmer attended Rocky Mount Public Schools in Rocky Mount, NC, and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. After high school, Elmer continued his education in Saginaw, Michigan and received his certification and license as a Boiler Engineer. After 29 years of dedicated service, Elmer retired from the Pontiac Board of Education as a Boiler Engineer and Facilities Supervisor. He was deeply loved and cherished by his family, friends, co-workers and “bowling buddies.” Elmer was often referred to as a "great guy" and the "life of the party” because of his caring and jovial personality. He was often awarded for keeping the cleanest and best maintained heating and cooling systems in the buildings he managed. Elmer was a member of Zion Christian Church and ZCC Gospel Choir, where he joyfully sang God’s Praises. Among his favorite songs were "Amazing Grace" "Glory Glory Hallelujah" "Soul’d Out” “Going Up Yonder” "You Got to Move” “How Great is our God” and the "Best is Yet to Come.” In Elmer’s spare time he participated in bowling leagues, played African drums with his daughter and granddaughter for youth outreach programs, sang for seniors in nursing homes and helped feed and provide for the homeless in the community. Mr. Cordell leaves beautiful memories to be cherished by one daughter, Georgie Ann Williams; one granddaughter, Amber Cheri Williams; two brothers, Robert Cordell and Timothy (Janice) Cordell of Rocky Mount, NC; four sisters, Geraldine Anderson and Dorothy (Willie) Shepherd of Pontiac, MI, Shirley (Sidney) Cordell-Robinson of Fredericksburg, VA, Diane (Michael) Cordell-Wright of Rocky Mount, NC; two sister-in-laws, Dr. Patricia D. Stowe-Cordell of Auburn Hills, MI, Alma (Roland) Ellis of Nashville, NC; four brother-in-laws, Milton (Judy) Cox of Rocky Mount, NC, Albert Cox of Nashville, NC, Donnie Mills of Nashville, NC, Dorsey Lee Cox of Rocky Mount, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Elmer M. Cordell

October 13, 1939 - October 19, 2012