ForeverMissed
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Lugretha “Dent” Williams Besteda was born January 08, 1931 in Marengo County, Alabama. She was one of nine children born in the union of her parents Henry and Carrie Williams. There she met and married Cornelius Besteda, who proceeded her in death in 1997, and together they transitioned to Detroit, Michigan where they laid down their roots. To this union five children were born.

The strong virtuous woman of God that Mother Besteda became exuded throughout her life! She was a wonderful mother to her children and a blessing to all her family and friends. She was a generous and faithful church member serving as President of the Mother’s Board at New Covenant Baptist Church in Detroit, MI for over thirty years. Her most precious service was her “Feed My Sheep” program where hot meals and clothing was provided to anyone in need! She retired from General Motors with outstanding attendance and performance awards!  The Matriarch of the family, she honored that role in spirit and in truth. Always putting God first.

She leaves to cherish her lovely memory: all of her children, Lester Besteda, Detroit, MI, Sylvester (Marilyn) Besteda, Memphis, TN, Michael Besteda, Memphis TN, Mickey Besteda, Detroit, MI and Tina (Sterling) Jones, Birmingham, Alabama; three sisters, Carrie Holston, Toledo, OH, Lessie Banks, Toledo, OH, and Eula Harris, Detroit, MI; one brother-n-law Robert Sanders, Mobile, AL; two special cousins, Gussie Harris, Toledo, OH and Stella Shade, Gulf Shores, AL; ten grandchildren and generations of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

The Family of Lugretha Besteda expresses sincere gratitude for all prayers, calls, visits and other acts of kindness during the passing of our dear loved one. May GOD continue to BLESS each one of you and thank you again for your support.

Due to the Stay-at-Home order, the funeral service will be live streamed on Monday, April 20, 2020, starting at 10:00 am on www.lusain.com.  Interment Elmwood Cemetery. 

Professional services provided by W.E. Lusain Funeral Home and Crematory, Birmingham, Alabama. 


New
April 15
April 15
Rip! You are missed and loved! I know that you're with your maker and you're safe in His loving arms! I will always, love and cherish my memories of you! A god-fearing, true woman of God! A loving mother until the end. You did just as God commanded you to do!
Continue to RIP4/15/24
New
April 15
April 15
It’s not getting easier mama navigating life without you! I miss your smile and hugs and the way you always made things better!! You always knew what to say or do. Just like you; I plan to keep running this race until the end with God on my side I can’t fall!! You gave me the tools to make it in this cruel world and I listened and heard you. Kiss Sterling for me! I love you and miss you so. I thank God for assigning you to be my mom: He’s always given me His very best 
January 9
January 9
Just stopped by to say Happy Birthday Sis. Things have truly changed and it's just not the same without you and your wisdom. We miss you so much Lou. Continue to rest well. Love you!!  
    Your Dear Sister,
       Tee
    
April 15, 2023
April 15, 2023
Thought about you today. I heard your voice and laugh. Videos of you in my phone help me hear your voice when I need to. Sean shared a memory of how he used to come over and drink up all your boost and how you would get on him about it. We laughed about it. We love you!
April 15, 2023
April 15, 2023
I miss your strong hugs and sweet kisses mama and especially your wisdom! Navigating life without you is so hard but you taught me about our Savior who sustains me! Thank you mama; I love and miss you “sweet Lou”.
January 8, 2023
January 8, 2023
Please continue to watch over your family!

Rosie Dunbar
Birmingham, Al
January 8, 2023
January 8, 2023
Happy Heavenly Birthday Grandmother, I miss you immensely and wholeheartedly. Your love, values and lessons still live on through me. I still thank you for everything. I will always cherish you!
April 15, 2022
April 15, 2022
I’m so sad, lonely and miserable without you mama !! Every moment is a struggle and I will keep praying and pressing forward to the best of my ability!! You taught me that, you’re the toughest woman I’ve ever seen!!
Love and miss you mama ❤️‍
February 2, 2022
February 2, 2022
Hey  GRANDMOTHER,
You’re spirit is missed, I can still hear your voice and classic laugh. I know you’re watching over us. Things have been a bit different since you gained your wings. Wishing I could come and lay across your bed, just talk and watch a few game shows like we used to ❤️. Sean is as tall as me now, he cooks and is still a pretty good kid. As for me, I’m holding it down and still being solid. Anyway, I miss you and I was thinking of you. Wishing heaven had visiting hours. Love you much
Your forever favorite ♾
Chonte’
January 8, 2022
January 8, 2022
Lou you are missed so much Happy Heavenly Birthday But I know you are at rest with our Savior. Love and Miss you so much!! 
                         Your sis. TEE
January 8, 2022
January 8, 2022
Mama,
Life is so hard with out you!! You always new what to say or do to keep us going!! I miss you and Sterling and I know you both want me to stay strong and press on!! Kisses to you Always in my ❤️
April 16, 2021
April 16, 2021
Dear Mama,
My best friend and number one fan! I feel a huge part of me is missing but I know God has a huge part of Him replaced since you’re back in His Kingdom!! I think of you constantly and I miss you so much! The tears come and go and putting flowers on your grave yesterday was a little easier and I cried just a little bit... I think of your smile and big hugs and kisses and I get the strength to press on.
Rest In Peace Queen
Your daughter
April 16, 2021
April 16, 2021
Tina and family, you all are still in my prayers.
April 15, 2021
April 15, 2021
It's been a whole year and not a day or minute go by that I don't think about you. I miss our phone conversations along with your wisdom. 
I Love you and I miss your presence here with us. I know you are smiling down upon us and Resting Peacefully in the arms of our Lord.

Forever etched in my heart ❤️❤️
Your Dear Sister
     Tee
April 15, 2021
April 15, 2021
Rip! You are missed and loved! I know that you're with your maker and you're safe in His loving arms! I will always, love and cherish my memories of you! A god-fearing, true woman of God! A loving mother until the end. You did just as God commanded you to do! ❤️❤️❤️❤️A good and faithful servant!!!!!
January 8, 2021
January 8, 2021
Today is the day a true Queen was born! Missing you mama ❤️ I’m going to have a slice of German chocolate cake, your favorite, to celebrate what would have been 90years! My Angel Praises to God for allowing me to be your daughter
April 20, 2020
April 20, 2020
Dear Besteda Family, My heart is heavy now, Mrs. Besteda was a Grand Lady, she had grace and style. She had a beautiful heart and I always felt loved around her and welcome in her home. I am so grateful that I sent that German Chocolate to her, (she enjoyed my cakes). It was a blessing to me to be able to do something for her. She will forever be in my heart and I am truly blessed to have been a part of her circle.
April 20, 2020
April 20, 2020

Tina , I was so sad to hear that Mother Besteda had made her transition and moved on to another room. I am so glad to have had a relationship with her over the years. I now find myself remembering so many of those conversations with her, especially at her home here in Detroit. We do have many fond memories of her. Love you.
April 20, 2020
April 20, 2020
To the family I send my love and condolences.Praying Auntie receives her crown in heaven.Auntie ran the race and did not grow weary.Our God will reward her and lift her spirit to be with Him In paradise.To the Sovereign God be Glory.Cousin Tina be at peace,you honored your mother while she yet lived
April 20, 2020
April 20, 2020
What a lovely woman. Her daughter Tina and I were co-workers. I had the privilege to speak with her a few times and we exchanged words of encouragement. She had a calm and soothing voice, you know , like talking maybe to your own mom. I know she was an angel. Tina only had loving words where her mom was concerned. May God bless the family during this season of mourning. To Tina my friend, I know you felt blessed and honoured to have had your mom with you and helping to care for her. No greater love can be shared on this earth.
April 19, 2020
April 19, 2020
GrandMother,
Thank you for your love and support for Sean and I. You will forever be cherished and remembered. I’m thankful and very blessed to have had you in my corner and for being my support system. Thank you for everything you’ve done for us all. Thank you for showing me what a strong black woman is. I’ll try to hold our family together as best as I can, as you would want and as you have done. We love you deeply and infinitely ♥️♾.
Your Granddaughter Chonte’
April 19, 2020
April 19, 2020
From Church of the New Covenant Baptist in Detroit.... Mother Besteda ... A Leader in our Faith Community, a Pillar, Loving & Kind- Hearted.... She is with God now! May her Spirit be with us all.

Pastor Brian Ellison
April 18, 2020
April 18, 2020
To my dear family. I just want to take the time right now to say a few simple words. One of our strongest queens has passed on. My dear Aunt who was so fun, loving, witty, strong and yet stearn. I'll never forget the memories I have as a child playing at her house with all my cousins. As her nephew, I want you to know she will never be forgotten. I've learned from her and I respected her and I can honestly say I will truly miss her. God bless my family and we will remain strong.  Love, James O'Dell Banks III . Toledo,Ohio
April 18, 2020
April 18, 2020
Mother
You are the other mother I received the day I married your son. You were never the typical mother-in-law and I'm grateful for that. I want to thank you for loving me like your very own and I loved you in return with pride and delight as a daughter. I'm going to miss you immensely especially our times together cooking, but I promise to always prepare your sweet potato souffle (because I can't fry chicken like you) for your son and grandsons. You showed me the meaning of love, you were my Naomi and I will always be your Ruth until my last breath. Rest Sweet Lou. I love you deeply ❤️ your Mar Mar
April 18, 2020
April 18, 2020
My Dearest Lou, My Beautiful Sister
There are no words to express how much I will miss you!! I know Mama, Daddy, Ruth, Ollie, Mag and Prince will be waiting on you with open arms along with GOD. I'll miss our long talks about family and the good ole times. Who will I call when I need to know about our family history/chain? You had a memory of an elephant. You never forgot and I'll never forget you my dear Sister, you will be etched in my HEART FOREVER 

LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Carrie Tee
April 18, 2020
April 18, 2020
Tina—My sincere condolences to you and your family. God Bless and keep y’all during this season of loss.
April 18, 2020
April 18, 2020
My deepest condolences to the family! May God bless you!!
April 18, 2020
April 18, 2020
SENDING HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO TINA, STERLING AND THE FAMILY OF MY “ MS. B”, SHE WAS SUCH A SWEETHEART AND SO EASILY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH. ALTHOUGH SHE CHANGED MY NAME TO “ PAM,” MS. B ALWAYS KNEW JUST WHO I WAS AND GAVE ME THE SWEETEST HUGS AND KISSES WITH A STRONG SQUEEZE OF HAND WITH A PRAYER THAT TOUCHED YOUR HEART AND SURELY WENT STRAIGHT UP TO THE HIGH HEAVENS ABOVE.

MS. B INTRODUCED ME TO A SONG THAT WILL FOREVER STAY IN MY HEART AND WILL KEEP ME ON TASK AS I LIVE FROM HERE ON” LORD, PLEASE DON’’T MOVE MY MOUNTAIN BUT GIVE ME STRENGTH TO CLIMB.” REST IN HEAVENLY PEACE AND THANK YOU FOR BEING A VIRTUOUS WOMAN WITH AGAPE LOVE
April 18, 2020
April 18, 2020
"Punkin",
Missing you so much mama! I saw two beautiful red cardinals soaring in the yard, chirping so sweetly together that I knew in my spirit it was you and Aunt Ruth letting me know that you were okay!! I thank God for pairing us as Mother and daughter. My warrior queen.
Love, your warrior princess
April 17, 2020
April 17, 2020
We in Detroit will truly miss our beloved 'Lou'. I am truly brokenhearted. I am thankful for spending quality time with her at the Florida RPA. Reunion in 2018. She enjoyed us and we enjoyed her as well. To the Ohio family we feel your pain. To the Besteda family we love you and we are praying your strength.
April 17, 2020
April 17, 2020
To my dearest family, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
My heart is broken. Another link in our chain is gone.  Auntie was a true Beacon of light and life, Beautiful inside and out. I will take Solace in the many Memories that we shared!!!  She will be greatly missed. Sending Hugs and all my Love!!

Charna H.
Toledo, OH

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Recent Tributes
New
April 15
April 15
Rip! You are missed and loved! I know that you're with your maker and you're safe in His loving arms! I will always, love and cherish my memories of you! A god-fearing, true woman of God! A loving mother until the end. You did just as God commanded you to do!
Continue to RIP4/15/24
New
April 15
April 15
It’s not getting easier mama navigating life without you! I miss your smile and hugs and the way you always made things better!! You always knew what to say or do. Just like you; I plan to keep running this race until the end with God on my side I can’t fall!! You gave me the tools to make it in this cruel world and I listened and heard you. Kiss Sterling for me! I love you and miss you so. I thank God for assigning you to be my mom: He’s always given me His very best 
Recent stories
April 18, 2020
Words cannot express the love and respect that I have in my heart for you. You were an outstanding servant of Gods Kingdom and army. Your life and your light shined through every aspect of your loving deeds. An outstanding LEADER, mother, grandmother, friend, church mother, saint, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and Gods child .Your legacy will live on in me and my life. Your example of leadership in all areas of life, love and legacy are etched in my heart and soul forever. I know without a doubt you received many jewels in your crown. Rest well Grandma Besteda you were truly a “Good and Faithful True Servant!!!” ❤️❤️❤️ An obedient warrior til the end! I will miss you sorely! I loved you immensely!!!! We know God loves you best! 

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