Mr. Wooten of Southfield, Michigan passed away on July 4, 2012.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 7, in the Chapel of Haley Funeral Directors between the hours of 3pm-7pm.

There will be a family visitation, Sunday, July 8, at Triumph Church (2760 East Grand Blvd., Detroit, 48221)from 2pm-6pm. Masonic services will begin at 6pm and end at 8pm.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 9. Family hour is at 10am followed by funeral services at 11am at Triumph Church (2760 East Grand Blvd. Detroit, 48221).

Please feel free to leave the family a message of condolence on our online guest book.

Henry Levi Wooten entered into this life on February 22, 1923 to the late Henry and Katie Mae Wooten, in Hernando, Mississippi. He was the eighth of eleven children. He and his ten siblings were raised in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Preceding his home going were brothers and sisters, Joe Lee, Austin, Leroy, Frank, Delbert, L.E., Charlene, Betty Mae, Ruby Jean and Robert.  Levi moved from Olive Branch, Mississippi to East St. Louis, Illinois in 1941. Levi served our country in WW II from 1943 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He earned the rank of Technician 4th Grade and was charged with leading 54 soldiers. He was a Life Member of Thomas F. Burns Post #5783, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and was Post Commander serving from 1974 to 1975. Levi moved to Detroit in 1946 after being discharged from the United States Army. He worked for General Motors, the Armour Food Factory and the Hudson Motor Car Company. In 1953, he worked for the City of Detroit in the Street and Rails Department (DSR) and the Public Lighting Commission (PLC). A born leader, Levi was a “union man,” very involved in his local union. He served as President of Teamsters Local 22M, AFL-CIO. After 30 years with the City of Detroit, he retired in 1983.  Levi was raised in a strong Christian family with strong Christian values. He acknowledged and accepted Christ at an early age. As he grew in his faith, he passed his love of the Lord on to his children and their families. He was a member of Mt. Austin Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi, Friendship Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois, and New Bride Baptist Church in Detroit, where he faithfully served over 35 years as a youth mentor, choir member, usher, Trustee and Deacon. In 1983, by Letter of Christian Experience, he joined the Historic East Lake Baptist Church, Rev. Michael g. Cunningham, Pastor. He was a strong and faithful member, seldom missing a Sunday service until his health began to fail. He served on the Deacon Board and continued his leadership working on numerous committees throughout the years. He was a praying and singing Deacon - never hesitant to give prayer, quick to quote scripture and encouraged others to do the same. Levi went back to East St. Louis to marry the one and only love of his life, Bertha Mae Lockett. They were married on January 20, 1949, and she moved to Detroit to be by his side. They were married 41 glorious years before her passing in 1990. Together they raised 4 children – Joyce, Shirley, Alma and Terry. Levi was loved and respected in his fraternal organizations. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason in Onward Lodge No. 17, PHA, in St. Louis, Missouri on August 1, 1946. In 1969, he joined Prince Hall Lodge No. 24, PHA in Detroit, Michigan. He received his 32nd Degree in 1972 and was elevated to 33rd Degree in 1986. As a member of Prince Hall Lodge No. 24, he served for 15 years as Assistant Secretary and was honored with his Life Membership in 1995. He was an active member of Priscilla Chapter No. 21, Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Patron in 1976 and was honored with Life Membership in 2011. In 1972, Levi was initiated into Marracci Temple No. 13 A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc. In 1981, he received his Honorary Past Potentate’s Degree and in 1992, he was awarded his Honorary Past Imperial Potentate’s Degree. Levi worked on many committees during his tenure and was selected “Noble of the Century” during the Marracci Temple Centennial Celebration. Continuing his fraternal leadership, Levi founded the Marracci Temple Retirees Club in 1984. He was elected President and held that position until his passing.  In 1980, he was appointed Director of Youth for Marracci Temple No. 13. He served in this position for 20 years until his appointment to Chief Deputy of the Imperial Youth Department. His proudest hour was his appointment to Imperial Youth Director of A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc., and he served in this position until his retirement in 2000. Although he had retired as leader of Marracci Temple’s Youth Department, everyone continued to reach out to him for guidance. With his family by his bedside praying, Levi's spirit ascended from his earthly body to go home with the Lord in the early morning hours of July 4, 2012 – his Independence Day. Cherishing his precious memories are his devoted four children, Joyce Phillips (Frady/”Rocky”), Shirley Broadus (Roland), Alma Jean Massey (Craig), and Terence Wooten (Robin); six loving grandchildren, Maurice Harris (Claudreme), Rodney Phillips (Calandra), Kanikashani Massey, Krystyn Phillips, Gyasi Massey, and Jacob Wooten; and three loving great-grand children, Dorian Harris, Damien Phillips, and Cierra Harris. Levi also leaves two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Wooten and Marie Lockett of E. St. Louis, IL; two brothers-in-law, DeMelvin Lockett, Rock Island, IL, and Frederick Harris, E. St. Louis, IL; his “favorite nephew