Ada Hemming, 79, of Detroit, Michigan, passed on October 16, 2020 while surrounded by her family, after a long fight with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

Ada Mae Hemming was born on April 23, 1941 in Detroit, MI, and was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, John M. Hemming. He worked for 30 years as an instructor for the Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, and owned a television and appliance store in Huntsville, Alabama, and was active in civic affairs having served on the City Council for 12 years. Both John and Ada Hemming were long time members of University Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

In 2014, after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Mike relocated his mother to Detroit so that he and his wife Jeannie could provide more care for her. Mike visited with his mother regularly and frequently wrote about her and her illness in his blog. He wrote, “Unless you knew my mom before the illness you really can’t understand how sad this really is.”

‘My mom was the strongest woman I’ve ever met. She wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything. She was a fierce Mama Bear. There are stories I can tell you — like the one when I was little kid and an older kid pulled a knife on me. My mother blew through the kitchen door like a tornado. I think that kid is still running from my mom.”

Until her health condition made it impossible, Mrs. Hemming was active in the life of the church at Brentwood Baptist, working with many ministry efforts including the Nurture Team. She was a gifted musician. Mike said, “her piano playing is the soundtrack of my life.”

Brian Dodridge, executive pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church, said, “The Trustees, church staff, and many members of Brentwood Baptist who love our Pastor share in the loss of Barbara and will grieve along with Mike and his family.”

Mrs. Hemming is survived by her sons, Dr. Michael L. Hemming (Jeannie) and Mitch Hemming ; grandsons, Chris Hemming (Deb), Craig Hemming (Nan), Marshall Hemming, Brandon Frazier; three great-granddaughters and one great-grandson. She is also survived by her sisters, Dianne Nowell, Karleen Adams, and Jenny Gibson.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Medical Dental Unit of Brentwood Baptist Church, and an online guestbook is available at DetroitFuneralService.com.