Ms. Michelle Highshaw

Michelle Denean Highshaw, our "Miracle" baby of fourteen children, was born on November 12, 1966, to the union of the George James and Nettie Mae (Gatson) Highshaw. As a child, Michelle received her spiritual training at the Greater Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. She later became a member of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Dr. F. L. Crouther, serving in the Birthday and Music Ministries. She continued worshipping and serving as long as her health permitted. Michelle, a proud Milwaukee Tech High School Trojan, was educated in the Milwaukee Public Schools District. She continued her education earning Associate and Bachelor's Degrees in Business Administration from Cardinal Stritch and Concordia Universities, respectively. She was employed at Congress, Martin Luther King and Benjamin Franklin Elementary Schools, leaving a lasting impression on the little ones who crossed her path. Michelle was blessed with three beautiful children who gave her the will to live when her health challenges seemed unbearable. She always encouraged them to do their best so they would be productive adults. Michelle was also blessed to have granddaughters who were attentive to her needs: first there was [a'Nya and Ja'Na, then Zeniyah (affectionately known as "Nurse Lucy") and Zoey was training for the next chapter. Michelle was a great mother, grandmother, and an excellent babysitter to her nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. Michelle often struggled with her identity as a sibling to her brothers and sisters. As the baby of family, she felt like and was treated by her nieces and nephews as if she was one of the nieces; her nieces and nephews loved her dearly. She had a special love for her nephews, who in her eyes, could do no wrong. Despite her close relationship with her nieces and nephews, her older sisters finally won her over during their last special weekend getaway. Michelle's life exemplified great faith and perseverance as she endured pain and health struggles on a daily basis. She smiled instead of crying, socialized and planned family gatherings instead of sitting in a chair and feeling sorry for herself. She never took God for granted and knew she was a blessed child who had "more lives than a cat." Michelle was an inspiration to anyone who knew her. She encouraged her Facebook friends with her daily morning messages. She always sent greetings as she arrived at the Dialysis Center in the wee hours of the morning. Michelle was a model patient whose humble and sweet spirit won the hearts of the medical staff. Michelle was truly one of a kind who believed God allowed her to have challenges because He knew she was the only one in the family who could endure. When she bounced back after doctors counted her out in 1997, she earned the nickname "Miracle Michelle," or "M&M" for short. Time and time again, she showed that she was indeed a living miracle. Michelle enjoyed traveling, looked forward to attending the Tech All-Class Cookouts and family reunions. Michelle was known to sometimes be a little stubborn if her siblings tried to tell her which mode of transportation to take to certain destinations. Regardless of how she got there, she had her camera ready and was the best family photographer anyone could ask for. At the start of each new year, Michelle brought the family together for the annual New Year's morning breakfast. She couldn't make the breakfast this year, but the family still got together. It was more than a coincidence that she would have us gather on the first morning of the new year; we just met in a different place. Michelle saw her children, the fruits of her labor, reach adulthood and was confident in the love of her family. So, with her body tired, she was at peace with leaving her babies to go home with the Lord and be reunited with her Mama. Oh, how she missed her Mama! On Wednesday evening, the first day of this new year, the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, welcomed her to her new home. She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings: James, Jimmie Louis, Georgia, and Ethel Faye; one grandson: Phillip Michael Angelo Highshaw. She leaves to treasure her precious life, her beloved children: Michael (Nishia) Highshaw, Sr., Natasha (Anthony, Sr.) Horton, and Markia (fiance Brian Coleman) Highshaw, seven granddaughters: [a ' Nya, [a ' Na, Nyesha, Zeniyah, JaNyela, Alicia, and Zoey; four grandsons: Anthony, [r., Michael, [r., Machello and Mi' eh, nine siblings: Bessie Christopher, Helen (Gene) Hughes, Joe (joyce) Highshaw, Jimmie (Debra) Highshaw, Peggy (Major) Ragland, Charlotte Miller, Greg (Mona) Highshaw, Dana (Barbara) Highshaw, and Diane (Lee) Ellis; five aunts: Fannie Scruggs, Georgia Jones, Gertrude Edwards, Sammie Brantley, and Mary Harris; two uncles: Wince Highshaw, J r. and Richard H. Jones; her dear Inner Circle of Sister Friends: Alicia, Angela, Bridgit, Jeanie, Kelly, Kim, Yolanda and Yvette; 36 nieces and nephews; 85 great nieces and nephews; 39 great-great nieces and nephews; a host of cousins, friends, and the New Covenant Baptist Church and Greater Galilee Baptist Church families.

Ms. Michelle Highshaw

November 12, 1966 - January 1, 2020