Michigan is not only rich with history but famous people that are buried here.

 

  • Rosa Parks

    1913 - 2005

    One of the most courageous, and beautiful woman that has graced this earth is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery on Woodward Ave in Detroit. The United States Congress has called her "the first lady of civil rights" and "the mother of the freedom movement". Wikipedia.com summons up her bravery by stating...

     "On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks refused to obey bus driver James F. Blake's order to give up her seat in the colored section to a white passenger, after the white section was filled."

  • Dick York

    1928-1992

    Dick York was born in Fort Wayne Indiana and went on to be the 1st husband (Darren Stephens) to the witch Samantha in the 1960 hit "Bewitched".  Wikipedia.com lists some of this other works...

    " York appeared in dozens of episodes of now-classic television series, including Justice, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Untouchables, Rawhide, The Americans, Wagon Train, Father Knows Best, and CBS's The Twilight Zone and Route 66."

    After falling ill York retired to his Rockford Michigan home and focused on helping charities until his death at the Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids. York is buried at the Plainfield Cemetery in Kent County.

  • Levi Stubbs

    1936 - 2008

    You may not recognize the name Levi Stubbs, but you know his voice. Levi was the lead singer of the "Four Tops" and an extremely loyal band mate as Wikipedia.com explains...

    "Despite being the most prominent member of the group, Stubbs refused to have separate billing (in contrast to other Motown acts such as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and Diana Ross and the Supremes), and he also turned down several offers for a solo career, out of loyalty to his bandmates. Stubbs and the other Tops remained a team until Payton died in 1997."

    Levi spent most of his life in Detroit, and passed away in his Detroit home in his sleep. He was laid to rest at the same cemetery as Rosa Parks, Woodlawn Cementary.

  • George 'The Gipper' Gipp

    1895 - 1920

    The Gipper was born is Laurium in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, played football for the University of Nortre Dame, and died far too young. According to Wikipidia.com...

    "Gipp died at the age of 25 of a streptococcal throat infection, days after leading Notre Dame to a win over Northwestern in his senior season, and is the subject of Knute Rockne's famous "Win just one for the Gipper" speech. In the 1940 film Knute Rockne, All American he was portrayed by Ronald Reagan."

    Gipp is buried at the Lakeview Cemetery in Houghton County.

  • Mike 'Sonic' Smith

    1949 - 1994

    Fred was the guitar player for the band MC5,  ranked #93 on Rolling Stones list of "Top 100 of the Greatest Guitarist", and the husband of poet/singer Patti Smith. Born in West Virgina Fred made his home in St. Clair Shores Michigan where he and Patti raised their 2 children and lived until his death.

    According to Wikipedia.com his name will live on in the world of music...

    "The band Sonic Youth took its name from Smith's nickname."

    Fred 'Sonic' Smith is buried at Elmwood cemetery, located in Detroit's Historic Distric

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