Gwendolyn Sledge

 Gwendolyn Adella (Collins)Sledge was born on July 14th, 1945 to the late Troy Collins and Callie Louise (Carey) Collins in Detroit, Michigan. She was released from all earthly limitations and granted eternal peace on June 24th, 2026. She grew up a devout Catholic and graduated from Pontiac Catholic High School. She attended St. Vincent de Paul in Pontiac for many years. She was member of the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary for over 35 years and was a founding member of the St. Monica Courts, Pontiac. She created lifelong friendships with many members especially Althea Hall & Leona Patterson. She met and married Floyd Kirksey and to this union, 2 children were born; Anthony Eugene and David Allene Kirksey. Gwen enjoyed playing dominoes, cards, board games and acting. She was a member of the North Star Theater Troupe for many years and was cast in several local plays. She also participated in plays with the Jewish Senior Theatre Ensemble & The Detroit Repertory Theater. She later joined Rosedale Community Players where she recently starred in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Later in life she met and married Christian Sledge. Together they enjoyed visiting family and having gatherings of family, neighbors, and friends in fellowship and community. They loved and cared for each other deeply and Gwen took extra special care of him through his illness and passing. Gwen was also preceded in death by her parents, Troy and Callie and her son Anthony, and a bonus “baby” sister Brooksie Pickett.Although she was an only child, Gwen had a large extended family and village of friends, neighbors and loved ones who cared for her deeply, as she did them. Gwen leaves to cherish her memory her son David, one brother-in-law Leo(Beatrice)Sledge, a bonus dear “older” sister Virginia “Nell” Williams, several bonus nieces & nephews; Sharon(Walter)Breeze, Sherman(Valerie)Cogdell, Tandra Blair, Pastor Therman(Avonda)Cogdell, Shelby(Walter)Knox, Krista Campbell, Seth(Phaedra)Pickett. Special caregivers Hollie and Cynthia McGregor. A very dear and special friend Cort Storer; his daughters Michelle & Joale and a host of faithful friends and neighbors, including Bob & Carolyn Fuerst, Karyn Harris, Marilou Resnick, and many more family and friends who cherished & loved her. 

A family gathering will be held at Sparks - Griffin funeral home on Thursday July 2nd. The gathering will be from 10 AM to 11:15 am. Following, Gwendolyn will be buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery at 12:30 pm, on Thursday July 2nd.