Leon G. Plump

Leon G. Plump, the youngest of three children born to the late Johnnie and Mary Plump, entered the world on February 5, 1935, in Bouligee, Alabama. His family later relocated to Detroit, Michigan, where he graduated from Northwestern High School. Leon pursued higher education at Wayne State University, earning a degree in Business Administration. During his time at Wayne State, he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi and crossed the burning sands in 1954. After completing his degree, he served in the military until his honorable discharge in 1961. Upon leaving the military, Leon began working for the State of Michigan as a social worker. 

In 1965, he met Annie Gray Bankhead-Turner and her three children. They married in 1966, and Leon warmly embraced the role of father, with the children affectionately calling him “Dad.” Although they divorced in the late '80s, they remained friends, and Leon continued to be a part of the children’s and the extended family lives until his passing. 

After 30+ years of service with the State, he retired in 1992 as Supervisor of Wayne County Dept of Social Services. While working for the State Leon was part owner of a record store and worked part time at Joe Louis Arena and later Comerica Park. Leon continued to work for Comerica Park until he decided to go into full retirement in 2020 at the young age of 86. 

In the early 90’s Leon rededicated his life to Christ and became an active member of FEWS Memorial CME Church. There he served as President of the Trustee Board and the Steward Board. He taught Sunday School as well as a member of the Male Chorus. 

In addition to loving and caring for his family, Leon enjoyed playing golf, photography, and carpentry. He was a jazz enthusiast with a passion for travel, often speaking fondly of his trips to Hawaii and Africa. In his later years, he spent his vacations visiting his daughter Valerie in Maryland. They cherished their annual daddy-daughter date nights, enjoying live jazz and dinner together.

Leon became ill last year and had to leave his beloved downtown Detroit, where he enjoyed daily walks along the riverfront. During this period, his grandson and best friend, Dwight Lamar Harris II, along with Dwight’s significant other, Kisha, spent time with him daily, oversaw his affairs, and forged an even closer unbreakable bond. 

Leon was preceded in death by his sister, Deatryce (Sam) Strong; brother, Johnnie Plump; son, Leonard Stanley Turner; nephew, Derick Strong; and sisters-in-law, Artis Ayers, and Earnestine Purdie. 

He leaves to cherish his memory his lifelong friend, Annie Gray Plump; daughters, Kim Turner Cheatham and Valerie Turner Bledsoe of Columbia, MD; sister, Fannie Ferguson; grandsons, Dwight Lamar Harris II, Kenneth (Chrissy) Cheatham Jr. , and Ian D. Bledsoe of Columbia, MD; granddaughters, Lauren (Alex) Politis, Ashley L. Ferguson, Kellie (Ronele) Johnson, and Kenesia Cheatham; 10 great-grandchildren; nephews, Dr. Eric Ayers and Michael Plump of Waco, TX; nieces, Stacey Vaughn, Leslie Ayers Thurston of Birmingham, AL, Sammye (Bruce)Vandiver, Barabara Belcher and Shirley Diane Harris of Waco, TX, Johnnie Belinda Robinson and Danielle Ferguson; sisters-in-law, (honorary) Linda Turner, and Ruby Plump; brothers-in-law, Bill Ayers and Craig Purdie; along with a fatherly friendship with Yodi Karr and a host of great nieces, nephews, family, and friends.