Michael Jennings, “The Picture Man,” our beloved family and friend, transitioned from earth to heaven on Thursday, December 5, 2024, Lansing, Michigan. Michael was born on Thursday, September 29, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, to his mother, Mary Lee Smith (Redmond), and father, Elisha Miller.
Michael’s family moved from Grand Rapids, Michigan, when he was a young child. He matriculated through the public school system there and graduated from South High School, where he played basketball; a sport that remained a passion both as a participant and observer. Michael was quite popular with his peers and, because of his engaging personality, never met a stranger.
After graduating from high school, Michael attended Ferris State University, where he met Carla, who soon became his wife and the mother of his son, Darin. Together, they transferred to Michigan State University (MSU), graduated, and established a village whose friendships endured a lifetime. Michael was a diehard Spartan and a founding member of the MSU Black Alumni Association. His professional career began with the Greater Lansing Urban League as a client advocate. After several years, he transferred those skills to the State of Michigan Department of Mental Health, where he advanced his advocacy to numerous mentally challenged and disenfranchised people statewide. Michael retired from that position after thirty years of faithful service.
During the interim, Michael was studying to become a photographer in honor of his older brother, Dave, who gifted him with a 35 mm camera. As a self-taught photographer, Michael honed his skills deftly and became one of Lansing’s preeminent professional, freelance photographers for more than 40 years. The Greater Lansing would be hard pressed to find one family whose life has not been enhanced by “The Picture Man’s” keen eye for detail and consummate ability to capture the moment of film.
One of Michael’s most profound achievements was celebrated when he joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. It was a dream fulfilled, and he considered himself an esteemed Omega Man (and “Q-Dog” on occasion.) The Annual Q-Boat Ride was Michael’s brainchild as he envisioned a big party from the balcony of his Riverfront townhouse, where he was a resident as early as 1979.
Michael married Christina in 1996. They were married on Saturday, September 13, 2003, becoming a new family with her son, Trevor Buckner. Michael and Christina became members of New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Lonnie J. Chipp, Jr., and attending regularly until his health failed.
Michael had a massive array of friends from all walks of life and in every state of the union. He could be loyal to a fault, but his enduring faithfulness was unwavering as he nurtured each friendship personally. Michael loved to dress and smell good, as evidenced by his huge suit and shoe collection.
The grandchildren were the apple of his eye, and he took great pride in doting on them, especially Mike Jr., who lived with him for a brief period, and his granddaughter, Makayla, the daughter he never had. He reveled in showcasing his family at the annual Q-Picnic and splurging on expensive gifts.
Michael’s leaves to cherish his legacy, wife, Christina Jennings; sons, Darin Bradley Jennings, Michael A. Jennings, Jr., Jasmine Jennings, Trezcocn Totten, and Michael Ray Daniels; two grand children; sister and beloved caregiver, Denise Johnson and Marilyn LaMar; brother, Dave (Sara) Jennings; nieces, Machele Lorf, Eloise Wright, Anita Deans, and Twanyn Heggins; nephews, Arthur Lee Wright, Dave Jennings II, James R. Johnson, and Mark Deans; many cousins, Wesley Ford, Darnell Ford and Bobby Ford, Velica Wright, Verna Edwards, and Jackie Pollard. He also had dear friends, Sterling and Becki Armstrong, Stanley Bush, Tam Harmon, Gayle King, Zoe Lattimer, Dr. Paul King, Carlos Parker, Michael Adkins, Lou Stone, Dr. Curtiz Merriweather, Stanley Maffet, Ralph Riddle, Jr., Rodney Singleton, Deborah Sudduth, Betty Thomas-Gilky, WM Kilfore, JC Bard, Harold and Jennifer Pope, Melvin Farmer, and his fraternity Omega Psi Phi brothers.
He is preceded in death by parents, Mary Lee Smith and Elisha Miller; sister, Lucille Deans; brother Robert Dixon; nephew, Derek L. Dandridge; best friends, Frand Perez, Theophilis Harvey, and Stan Washington.
Publisher’s Note: In the printed June 8, 2025 – June 21, 2025 edition, the date of death was printed as December 5, 2025. It should have read December 5, 2024. We apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have caused.
