Mother Essie Mae Gathing, 74, passed away on Sunday, October  1, 2017, at Lakeland Hospital in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She was born June 20, 1943 in Hughes, Arkansas to the late James and Pearl Barrett.

Essie was a devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. Among her very last words was a succinct aloud prayer holding her son’s hand, “God you know my heart….help my husband and children and keep them safe…that’s all I got to say, Amen”.  Like her final prayer, she lived her life protecting her family and depending on God. At an early age she found God and first looked for direction through Seventh Day Adventist church and later in life Brotherhood of All Nations Church of God in Christ. She was employed for over 30 years at Certified Metal Finishing and State Tool Manufacturing until her retirement in 2008.

She leaves to cherish her memories her husband of 53 years, Gene Gathing;  three sons,  Gene (Jacqueline) Gathing, Keith (Kristiye) Gathing of Detroit, Michigan and Kenneth Gathing of Benton Harbor, Michigan; two daughters, Ambree Gathing and Doris Gathing of Benton Harbor, Michigan; two sisters,  Dorothy Barrett Brown and Earlean Barrett of Hughes, Arkansas;  one brother,  Dennis Barrett of Hughes, Arkansas; three granddaughters, Brittney Gathing of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Temesha Gathing of Grand Rapids, Michigan and Kenniya Gathing of Austin, Texas; grandson, Anthony McCoy of Benton Harbor, Michigan;  four great-grandchildren; special nephews Steven Morrow and Rodney Morrow; close friend Johnnie Mae Washington and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Essie was preceded in death by two sisters, Louise McDonald and Susan Robinson; three brothers, Melvin Barrett, Alex Barrett, Sylvester Barrett; sister-in-law, Alberta Jackson Barrett.

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