Nikki Ann Brimite

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8

A devoted and caring mother to her four loving children, Calvin, Jasmine, Jamika, and Janiya, a beloved grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and dear friend, Nikki Ann Brimite, peacefully departed this life on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals, in St. Joseph, Michigan. 

Nikki Ann Brimite was born on Saturday, September 16, 1972, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to her loving parents the late Beverly and Joe Ross and added so much love to her family lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Beverly and Joe, her maternal grandparents, Evelyn Welcome and Charles Butler and her paternal grandparents, Eugene and Mary Ross; two uncles, Willie and John Ross; her best friend, Nischelle Counce, two canine brothers whom she loved dearly, Miller and Bud, and three days after her passing, her beloved big brother, William Brimite, transitioned to his heavenly home.

Nikki loved the Lord and accepted him as personal Savior as evident with her uniting with the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Emery Mack Varrie and continued serving faithfully under the leadership of Pastor Carlton A. Lynch where she served faithfully in the “New Members Ministry” until her passing.  She will truly be missed.

She was formally educated in the Benton Harbor Area Schools early on and later attended Coloma Public Schools. Nikki embraced motherhood at an early age and poured her life into raising her children with strength loyalty and a love that never wavered. However, she did not let anything stop her from reaching her goal of graduating from high school and in 1989 she received her General Educational Development (GED) diploma from Coloma Public Schools.

Nikki was full of life and joy. She was big on family and known for being the one you could count on to get the party started. If there was music playing, she was going to be on the dance floor singing, dancing, and living in the moment. Her energy was contagious, and she made sure everyone around her had a good time.

Nikki Ann, as she was affectionately called was dedicated and hardworking. She proudly served Lakeland Regional Health Center for 21 years, starting in January 2001 and until September 2022. Her strong work ethic and compassion touched the lives of many throughout the two decades of service to healthcare in her beloved community.

In 2022, she was diagnosed with leukemia and had to step away from the job she loved. After two years of remission, the cancer sadly returned in March of 2024. Despite the pain and difficulty, Nikki faced her battle with strength and grace, putting up a courageous fight until the very end.

Nikki loved life and one of her proudest accomplishments was that of being the proud grandmother to her seven grandchildren who affectionately called her “GG,” and she wore that title with pride and joy. She loved being their “GG,” spoiling them and sending them back home. She loved taking trips, shopping, going on late night rides to the gas station for a “coke ice” and a “scratch-off.”  Her sense of humor, bold personality, and unconditional love made her unforgettable to everyone who knew her.

Nikki Ann will forever be remembered in the hearts of her (4) loving and amazing children, her only son, Calvin Brimite, of Benton Harbor, three loving daughters, Jamika Buchana of Benton Harbor, and Jasmine Buchana and Ja’Niya Buchana both of Kalamazoo, MI; two brothers, Calvin (Edna Mae) Brimite and Joe (Angie) Brimite all of Benton Harbor, three sisters, Rochelle Brimite of Jacksonville, NC, Vanessa Simmons of Las Vegas, NV, and Joyce Allen of Sacramento, CA; one special “sister/cousin”, Aletha (Lisa) Ross of Benton Harbor; her seven adored grandchildren, Ka’Leah Brimite, Delvin Walker Jr., Kwasi Roberts Jr., Brayden Brimite, Calvin Brimite Jr., Jaidyn Walker, and Khyree Buchana; her forever mother-in-love, Lue Buchana of Benton Harbor; her favorite son-in-law, Delvin Walker Sr.; and her fiancée’, Dashon Hopkins and a large circle of family and friends who will forever carry her memory.

Nikki’s presence was powerful, her love was real, and her memory will live on in every life she touched. She may be gone from our physical sight, but never from our hearts. She will forever be missed, but her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved her most.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39

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