J.C. Briggs

Mr. J.C. Briggs was born on November 28, 1937, to the late Willie Briggs and Lizzie May Crittendon-Briggs, both of Andalusia, Alabama. He was 84 years old, born in Red Level, Alabama, and came to Michigan in the early 1960s. J.C. put his trust in the Lord and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in the early 2000s. On August 29, 2022, he looked to the hills, from which his help cometh, and at that time he knew he was ready to lay his burdens down.

On October 12, 1979, he married Kathleen Callahan. Not only did he marry Kathy, he became a great father and protector to her four children. “He made a way for all of us.” J.C. and Kathy were married nearly 23 years, until her death in 2002.

He was a doorkeeper who greeted many with a smile and loved singing in the male choir at his church, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Lansing. He worked many years and retired from Danford Carpet Cleaners. He volunteered at the Tri-County Office on Aging Senior Companion Program, and because of his diligent service, he was awarded the 2010 Senior Citizen of the Year award. He loved and cared for his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with his special friend, Carol Johnson.

J.C. will be forever in our hearts, for Always and Forever.

J.C. was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Briggs; mother, Lizzie Mae Crittendon-Briggs; father, Willie Briggs; brother, Theodore Briggs; and sister, Sally Drakful.

He lives to cherish his loving memory: brothers, Willie Jay (Barbara) Briggs of Mansfield, Ohio, Narvie (Mary) Briggs of Columbus, Ohio, Robert (Monica) Briggs of Columbus, Ohio, and Ricky (Monique) Jones of Columbus, Ohio; sister, Lillie Pearl (Mizell) Briggs-Lane of Columbus, Ohio; children, James Toliver of Navarre, Florida, Terrie Wilder of Lansing, Michigan, Steven (Rachael) Wilder of Chicago, Illinois, and Billy Wilder of Lansing, Michigan; grandchildren, Jason (Delma Hutchinson) Wilder, Ramesha (Jakece Allen) Turner, Jalan Howell, Steven Wilder, Jr., Mayleen (Joe) Herrera, Caleb (Teresa) Willis, and Corey Wilder; 15 great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his special friends, Carol Johnson, Charles King, and Kateena Briggs, also a cousin, all of Lansing, Michigan.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. His family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. To view the service live, click the link here: Livestream