Sterling O'del Littlejohn Jr. 87, of Lansing, MI, passed away peacefully, on a crisp Autumn morning, October 7, 2022 from a long battle with lung cancer. Sterling is now in heaven, singing and testifying of how he made it to the promise land.

Sterling O'del Littlejohn Jr. was born to Sterling O'del and Annabel Littlejohn on December 15, 1935 in Jackson, Michigan. He was the eldest son of his eight siblings. Mary Lou, Betty, Dennis, Michael, Patrick, Bonita, Sydney, Karen, and, Bernadell grew up in a loving and close-nit family. Sterling is preceded in death by: his parents, Sterling O'del Sr. and Annabel Littlejohn; his loving wife of 59 years, Mary; one sister, Betty Abston; three brothers, Dennis, Patrick, and Sydney Littlejohn; one son, Sterling O'del Littlejohn III; one daughter, Jeanette Littlejohn; and nephew, Terrance Byrd.

Sterling attended Pleasant Street School, Pearl Street School, East Intermediate School, and Jackson High School. After getting married and starting a family, Sterling did not graduate with his class but was still determined to further his education. He received a GED a couple of years later. Sterling worked at Willbee Concrete, staying with the company for sixteen years. This was a difficult and strenuous job. While working at Willbee, he began taking night classes at DeVry University, studying electronics. This allowed God to open major doors for him. He then began his next career at Michigan Bell in 1974. Here, his boisterous, determined, and reliable, work ethic allowed him to advance quickly into management. With many promotions he moved throughout the State of Michigan. Michigan Bell merged with AT&T, and many jobs were uncertain, not Sterling's! He learned new skills that afforded him several more years with AT&T. Sterling decided to retire December 31, 1989, in order to be in full-time Ministry.

Sterling and Mary wed on July 31, 1963. They begun their spiritual journey together under the guidance of their spiritual parents, the late Pastor Collins and Rev. Willola Gray, at Lane Memorial CME Church. God began to tug on his heart concerning being a servant leader and deepening his faith to the point of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Sterling became an ordained Elder in 1982, and was appointed Senior Pastor of Dozier CME Church, in Flint, MI, in 1983. Sterling and Mary served in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and were fondly known as "Priscilla and Aquila" Acts 18: 2-3, faithful servants of the Lord who were always together. Sterling had a heart for God's people. He always wanted to maintain an environment that others would want to be part of, and was able to reach all ages, ensuring to have a culture of inclusion and love. At several of the churches he led, he began Men's Bible Study. This allowed the men of the church to gather to have honest and relatable dialogue rightly dividing the Word of God in today's terms. With his loving wife beside him, they were great leaders. They were able to lead several CME Churches: Dozier Memorial in Flint, Michigan, Allen Temple in Detroit, Michigan, Mask Memorial in Lansing Michigan, ending their Pastoral leadership at Cleves Temple, Omaha Nebraska in 2001.

After retiring from full-time Ministry, Sterling and Mary moved back to Michigan to be closer to family. Anyone who stopped over would hear the sounds of Western Movies blaring throughout the house. Sterling loved watching and discussing his love of movies. He was a avid music lover, he enjoyed all genres. Sterling continued to preach and declare the goodness of the Lord to anyone and everyone that would listen.

Sterling, leaves to cherish his memories: one brother, Michael (Barbara) Littlejohn; four sisters, Mary Lou Dubey, Bonita (Steven) Shepherd, Karen (Ronald) Austin, and Bishop Bernadell (Lathan) Jefferson; nine children, Sterlina, Jeffery (Tammy), Ramona (John), Darnell (Florence), Barbrett (Al), Wannetta, Lee Roy lll (Yvonne), Ricky, and Quinn (Carmen); 23 grandchildren, Danny, Lebarbra, Calina, Jafari, Iisha, Alisha, Jarael, Tiara, Jeru, Maria, John Henry, Damone, Tynisha, Maurice, Labrett, Ivan, Nakiesha, Anthony, Kendall, Arianna, Sterling IV, Sterlisa, and Sherice; 45 great grandchildren. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, other family, friends, and church members who will dearly miss Sterling.

Services for Mr. Littlejohn, Jr. are as follows: