Nancy Lee Elston

Nancy Lee Lipsey was born October 22, 1939, in Louise, Mississippi, to James and Nancy (Roberts) Lipsey.  Nancy was the youngest of nine children, including four brothers, B.A., James, Ernest, Charles and two sisters, Almease Pope, Artermese Sartin, who preceded her in death.

Lil Nancy confessed Christ as her Lord and Savior as a child at the Love Feast Baptist Church in Louise, Mississippi under the leadership of the late Rev. E.S. Hicks. Nancy later moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan where she attended Willow Run High School and made numerous friendships that lasted a lifetime. During this time, she lived with her sister and brother-in-law- Georgia and James Collins- helping to care for their children. Later, Nancy returned to Louise, Mississippi where she graduated from the Humphreys County Training School. 

Nancy Lee Lipsey was joined in holy matrimony to Alphonso Elston in 1960.  Nancy had four children: Alphonso (Pete), Brian (Gus), Noncy (Gidget), and Sonny. After earning an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Washtenaw Community College, Nancy held various jobs as a school bus driver, nursing home aide, and eventually was employed as a factory worker at General Motors, from which she retired. Nancy was very involved in her community, faithfully attending her neighborhood Block Club meetings and eventually serving as Block Captain. Nancy also served as a foster grandparent in her later years. Despite juggling many roles, Nancy was always actively involved in her children’s lives, acting as a Den Mother with the Boy Scouts and volunteering as a Girls’ Softball Coach.

Nancy Lee Lipsey Elston joined Willow Run Baptist Church (later known as Christ Temple Baptist Church) under the leadership of the late Reverend Hamilton. Later, Nancy joined Mount Calvary Baptist Church where she served as a nurse under the leadership of the late Reverend Jackson. She also regularly attended Mount Sinai Baptist Church, her final church home, under the leadership of Reverend Percy Johnson.

Nancy was known by those who loved her to be a lover- of life, sports, flower gardening, laughter and parties; she was an exuberant dancer and an avid reader. Nancy was able to find humor and joy in any situation; she was enthusiastic in her appreciation for a good joke and enthralled everyone with the vivid stories she told of “the good old days.” 

Nancy leaves to rejoice in her memory four loving children, Alphonso Elston, Brian (Terri) Elston, Noncy (Donald) Fields and Sonny Elston; seven loving grandchildren, Brian Jr., Desmond (Brianna) Bright, Jordyn Bower, Westin Fields, Roman Fields, Cameron Elston and Clarke Lee Fields; six great-grandchildren, God daughter Brenda Brown and a host of nieces and nephews; her dearest neighborhood friends, George and Luellyn Morris, Margaret Washington, Lena Jones and Lorail Minor. 

Nancy is also survived by her loving sister, Georgia Collins and her devoted brother, Floyd (Lessie) Lipsey.

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