Reflections of His Life

Michael E. Vinson, Sr.

"To everything there is a season, a time to be born" Ecclesiastes 3:1
On August 27, 1957, God presented a precious gift of newborn life to Erma Jean
Ivery and Russell Vinson. Erma named her son Michael Everett, his namesake
being that of her Great Uncle. He was born at Moton Memorial Hospital in
Tulsa, Oklahoma at 7:17pm. When Michael was just six weeks of age,
Erma met the late Clarence Pitts, the man who he would come to know as his
Father. Clarence loved Michael with all of his heart, accepted him as his own, raised him throughout his childhood and taught him to be the man we all knew and loved. They shared a loving bond through the years and many of Clarence's traits and characteristics were passed on to Michael. It was his loving example that showed Michael how to be a caring and devoted father himself, regardless of bloodline.

Michael was the first grandchild in the Ivery family and he was doted on lovingly by his Grandmother, late Grandfather, three Aunts and two Uncles. He was everybody's baby! Their adoration is what gave Michael such a strong love for family. Michael treasured family – blood family, blended family and family-in-law. It gave him great joy to acknowledge birthdays and he cherished the holidays as a time for all of the family to gather together.

"When I was a child…" I Corinthians 13:11
Michael was introduced to Christ at an early age, after being baptized in the Church of Christ. As a child, Michael spent many, many years affectionately and impishly tormenting his younger siblings, Vicki, Ronnie, Gary, Lisa and Nikole. He often found ways of playfully teasing his older sister Sheryl, as well – but early on, Sheryl instilled a strong sense of respect and a healthy dose of fear into Michael, that lasted even into adulthood. Michael's sisters and brothers all have numerous memories and stories to share of his years as their mischievous brother. Whether it is the story of "Ronnie in the clothes-dryer", "Nikole & the orange slices", "Vicki, the matches & the FIRE" or the many other ornery ways that he showed his affection as a child, Michael left a plethora of childhood memories for them to relish. The only one who seemed to escape his harass was Lisa, whom he considered his baby.

Michael attended John Burroughs in Kindergarten, where he would meet the first of many lifelong childhood friends in Eddie Gill. In Eddie, Michael found someone that he could share his mischievous deeds, playful nature and most importantly his friendship. Michael played a variety of sports throughout his childhood, including football, baseball and track & field, which is where he came to know another childhood friend, Warren Jones. It was during the time that he played sports that Michael was affectionately given the nickname "Skeeter". Michael went on to attend Walt Whitman Elementary and Thomas Gilcrease Junior High School. He graduated with the Raymond S. McLain senior high school class of 1975. His classmates developed a great affection for Michael, looking for his infectious smile and jovial personality at every class reunion. Way back then, he had a network of true friends that would rival any Facebook page of today. In the fall of 1975, Michael began his journey to further his education at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College in Miami, Oklahoma.

"He that findeth a wife findeth a good thing"… Proverbs 18:22
That same year, Michael met the love of his life Patricia L. Tottress. After an almost two-year courtship they were married on June 17, 1978. Michael shared a deep, passionate love for Patricia, whom he lovingly called Trish. They became the best of friends, inseparable – you never saw one without the other. Michael loved to travel and they were blessed to have seen the world together, taking numerous vacations from the East Coast to the West Coast, throughout Europe, Canada, Mexico, and much of the Caribbean. Their marriage was blessed to include two children, Barbara Latrice "Treecy" and Michael Jr. "Mikey". Michael loved kids and was known for years as "Uncle Mike", not only by his nieces and nephews, but also by his younger cousins as well. But it was the title of Grandfather that made Michael the proudest! He loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was lovingly called and will forever be known as "Gampy" to his grandsons and granddaughter, with whom he shared an especially tender and unique bond.

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10
Michael spent many years working as a Maintenance Specialist. He could install and repair most anything. He was often called upon by family and friends to assist with everything from mechanical repairs to plumbing emergencies. He was a handyman to most and even when he didn't feel well, he would still drop everything to help if you asked.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7
With Christ, Michael overcame insurmountable obstacles during his lifetime. Through it all, he always held close to his faith in God. Although Michael's health began to decline in recent years, he continued to trust in God and fight the good fight, never losing sight of the importance of family and the love for his wife. Michael "traded earth for Glory" on Thursday, May 20, 2010, with his loving wife by his side. Michael's Paternal Grandparents, Maternal Grandfather, A.C. Ivery, Sr., Father, Clarence Pitts and grandson Xavier Michael all preceded him in death.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the Good of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles." II Corinthians 1:3-4
Receiving the comfort of God are his devoted wife, Patricia L. Vinson; his daughter Barbara "Treecy" Ware (Marlo); his son, Michael E. Vinson, Jr.; his grandchildren, Michael Malik Vinson [Sheena], Tyjuan Ali Vinson [Toysha]; Shaquille, Macqeilen, Massai and Mackenzie Ware; his mother Erma Jean Pitts; his mother-in-law Myrtle L. Tottress, his father-in-law M.M. Tottress, all of Tulsa, OK; his siblings: Sheryl Pitts Wesley (James) of Wichita, KS, Vicki Pitts Patrick, Ronnie Pitts, Lisa Pitts (Hal), Gary Pitts (Rhonda), and Nikole Pitts Jackson (Johnnie) all of Tulsa; his Grandmother Odessa Ivery, Tulsa, OK; his uncles, Dr. A.C. Ivery, Jr. (Marilyn) of San Jose, CA, Robert Ivery (Chestine) of Bartlesville, OK; his Aunts, Eleanor Franklin, E. Ann Ivery, E. Louise Ivery all of Tulsa.; his siblings-in-law, Sylvia Tottress Grundy (Larry), Terri Tottress Clark (Michael), Charles Tottress (Cassandra), Andrea Tottress, all of Tulsa, Angela Tottress Campbell (Donnell) of Atlanta, GA; every relative of the Russell Vinson family, ten nephews, eleven nieces and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

The Hour of Tribute for Mr. Michael Everett Vinson, Sr. will be Friday May 28, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. in the most sacred sanctuary of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Tulsa.

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM.