Ethel M. Artis

Mrs. Ethel Mae Artis, lovingly known to many as “Lucy,” passed away Thursday, May 29, 2025, at her residence in Lansing, Michigan. Age 85 years.  She was born Sunday, December 24, 1939, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, to the late Bernice N. Stringer and Floyd Underwood. She was the second oldest of six children and spent much of her early life living on a farm with her beloved Grandma Deanie, who nurtured and encouraged her. It was on that farm in Hayti, Missouri where she developed her work ethic, often helping in the cotton fields and earning praise for her dedication and spirit.

Ethel attended grade school in Hayti up to the 11th grade. At age 15, she married Henry Hursey Sr. and gave birth to her first child at 17. Their union brought forth a legacy of eight children. In 1958, she relocated to Arizona, where she worked in restaurants and cooked for nursing homes. She eventually settled in Lansing, Michigan in 1964, where she would spend the rest of her life building a home, a family, and a lasting legacy.

A woman of faith, Ethel accepted Christ at a young age and was a devoted member of New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church for 59 years. Her deep spirituality shaped her character, parenting, and service. Known for her generosity, humor, discipline, and nurturing spirit, Ethel was also never afraid to speak the truth or correct those she loved—always with love and purpose.

In February 1973, she became a proud member of the IBPOE Elks of the World, Capital City Temple #308 in Lansing, where her presence was bold and vibrant—much like her favorite color, red. Pastor Lonnie Chipp affectionately nicknamed her “Troublemaker,” not for mischief, but for her lively spirit and magnetic energy that always stirred joy and activity wherever she went.

Ethel was a trailblazer, an entrepreneur, and a relentless provider. She worked at Oldsmobile for 30 years, and was selected by General Motors to study robotics, eventually managing prototypes and often teaching her son Bryan the trade. She took great pride in car models, always excited about new releases. Despite her full-time job, often working overtime and running businesses, she raised her children as a single parent, with courage and conviction.

She pursued her education and received certificates from Harry Hill Dental Assistant School, West Junior Adult Education, and Lansing Community College. A lifelong learner, Ethel was passionate about growth and self-improvement.

As a businesswoman, she owned and operated multiple ventures including a beauty supply store, a jewelry shop, a women’s boutique, a beauty salon, and a children’s clothing store named Jamesha’s Ruffles & Lace, in honor of her first great-granddaughter. She also provided school uniforms for the Lansing School District through her partnership with Dr. Eugene Cain at Shabazz Academy, often giving discounts or even donating merchandise to families in need.

Ethel was a proud foster mother and respite care provider in Ingham County. She adopted four of her great-grandchildren at age 60 and poured the same love and discipline into raising them as she did her own children. Her strength and maternal instinct never wavered.

Her interests were endless. She enjoyed sewing, writing, gardening, golfing, making jewelry, listening to Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin, and collecting Hot Wheels. She loved watching movies like The Imitation of Life, Miss Jane Pittman, and comedy shows. She loved going to wholesale conventions in Georgia, Vegas and New York for her businesses.

Some of her favorite foods were pig feet, chicken feet, fried chicken, especially wings, bluegill, catfish, mustard and turnip greens, paired with a glass of Pepsi and her late son Carlis’ 7UP Upside Down Cake.

She taught her children life skills like mowing the lawn, fishing, card playing, and how to survive. She believed in financial literacy, discouraged credit use, and encouraged saving. Her daughter Niecey nicknamed her “Thrifty” because of her practical ways, comparing her to the Thrifty Nickel newspaper.

She loved big and fiercely. Her family meant everything to her. She survived the heartache of losing two of her children, Carlis (1990) and Betty (2021), and always embraced and protected them. She gave unconditional love, especially to Carlis, whom she championed without shame or judgment. Betty ran her children’s boutique through many years.

Ethel overcame enormous challenges. At three years old, she suffered third-degree burns on 70% of her leg from a wood stove. In 2012, she survived quadruple bypass heart surgery. In 2014, her house of 44 years burned down, yet she kept her spirit strong. Even after a devastating car accident took her father’s life, she found the strength to quit smoking permanently.

In her later years, dementia began to affect her mind, and though she could sense something was wrong, she faced it with grace. She often called out to her “Mother Dear” or her father. She insisted she wouldn’t go to a nursing home and held on to her independence as long as she could.

Ethel’s presence impacted many. She had a close-knit circle of special friends who became family:

Ruth Wilson: Like a sister, they worked at Oldsmobile together and raised their children side by side.

Dorothy Mildton: A lifelong friend with whom she hosted card games and leaned on for support well into their later years.

Ruby Mitchell: A sister-friend, party partner, and singing companion who stood by her through every phase of life.

Henry Hursey Sr.: Her first husband and father of her children. Though their early years were difficult, they later developed a friendship built on mutual care and respect. He often checked in on her, took her on errands, and remained in her life until the end.

Elder & Sister Fritz: Pastors and friends of more than 45 years who supported her spiritually and emotionally.

Pastor Lonnie & Sister Loretta Chipp: Her pastors in her later years, who were instrumental in guiding her bonus children and supporting her in her final seasons.

Dr. Eugene Cain: administrator of Shabazz Academy. Her partner in education, who mentored her and ensured her children received the academic support they needed.

Dr. Lee & Shirley June: Her deep loving spiritual mentors.

She gave her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren a powerful example of resilience, love, strength, and hard work. She was the matriarch, the anchor, the lifeline.

She simply shared wisdom through her favorite quotes like,

“You don’t believe fat meat’s greasy!”—she shaped generations.

Mrs. Ethel Mae Artis truly never learned to sit down. She was always building, creating, helping, loving, and thriving. Her legacy is etched in every life she touched, every business she started, every lesson she taught, and every heart she held.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Sheila Hursey, Stephanie (Larry) Hursey, Bernice (Lorenzo) Washington, Morie (Dewayne) Curtis, Mary Underwood, Bryan James (Denise), Dennis Artis, Zaa’kya Artis, Ajovi Artis, and Roshni Artis; grandchildren: Lashonda Hursey, Latassha Hursey, Marcus Hursey, Dashi Hursey, Tramaine (Loineil) Mckissic, Darrell Hursey, Tekekia Holmes, Arnold Winston, William Carthen, Bryan Carthen, Diane Washington, Shauna Washington, Le’shele Dorsey Phillips, Mario James, Erin James, and Cecily James; great-grandchildren: Jamesha Miller, Marshona Jones, Marquan Jones, Lashonda Jones, Marcus Jones, Darian Blackman, Anthony White, Shantel White, Lashay Hursey, Sincere King, Marvin King, Martrel King, Amariah Holmes, Rosie Holmes, Dantae Winston, Daeshaun Winston, Myles Carthen, My’asia Johnson, Ja’mya Johnson, Carter Bradford, Aaliyah Bradford, Jaycion Bradford, Bobby Bradford Jr, Jamya Walker, Quandrell Majority, Quashanti Majority, and Tywain Phillips; great-great-grandchildren: D’Ariyah Brown, Mekhi Brown, Kyean Brown, Iniyah Johnson, Jaseil Johnson, Marcianna Davis, Chantwan Watkins, Demier Porter, Ahnesty Jones, La’dhan Jones, Kimbriella Jones, Sincere Jones, Darianna Blackman, Adrianna Blackman, Jayceon Blackman, Niasia White, Carter Tatum, Quaaniyah Majority-Coleman Carmelo Artis, and Za’nuhlyxe Artis; sister: Edna Jones; brothers: Richard Jones and Sam Jones; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by Mary Alice Majority, Allen Jones, Betty Allen, Carlis Hursey, Henry lee Underwood, Bernice N. Stringer and Floyd Underwood.