Tragedy Strikes!!! Please Help Support the Singleton Family

Hi, my name is Allie. Last month we had quite the celebration for my Papi’s 72nd birthday, not knowing that it would be the last one. His life's goal was to be healthy, stay young and live past his grandfather and aunt who lived to 107 and 108 years respectively.

My Papi was vibrant, healthy and full of life. He was very active and through-out the last fifty years ran hundreds of marathons all over the country starting with Emily Gale’s Fun Run and including The Detroit FreePress Marathon, New York Marathon, Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon and too many others to name. He rode his bike 200 miles every year to raise money to benefit Muscular Dystrophy. He coached basketball, golfed, and played and taught tennis.

On November 3, 2024, that all changed. After taking out the dogs, he went out as usual on his daily run. He wore a lighted reflective vest. As he crossed the street in the crosswalk, he was hit by a man who ran through a red light. This man was not legally in the country and possessed no license. He was struck so hard that he was thrown on the windshield breaking it. The car was damaged and had to be towed. He spoke the last words he would ever speak. He asked for my grandmother. Almost all his bones were broken. He had organ and brain damage and required extensive surgeries. The doctor placed him on life support. On November 8, 2024, he was declared brain dead and taken off support. We watched as his life ebbed away. He was gone leaving us all behind.

May I please tell you a little bit about who my Papi was? He was a product of loving parents who taught him God's love, compassion and caring, he had fifteen brothers and sisters and a host of adopted siblings and was married for fifty-three years to the love of his life, my grandmother, Teri. We are a close-knit family, and my grandparents were given the gift of four children, one daughter in-law, sixteen grandchildren, and four great- grandchildren. He loved us all so much. He was an excellent grandfather and did everything possible to prepare us for life.

He never met a stranger, was a friend to everyone and made lifelong friendships. His motto was everyone was his brother or sister and sharing support, wisdom and the love of the Lord was his responsibility. He was a father to the fatherless, as well as all his nieces and nephews and every child in all the neighborhoods he frequented. All our family activities and outings included every child that could fit in his van. Another of his greatest joys was being a religion instructor for Saint Cecilia Elementary School in Detroit. He loved every child he encountered and always saw their greatest potential. Whenever possible throughout their lives he never stopped mentoring, ministering, giving them love and life instruction.

Passionate for playing the conga at various venues. His real passion was just pure love for his fellow man. Besides his family one of his greatest joys was to help. He touched many lives and gave freely to everyone. As a Pastoral Minister for the Archdiocese of Detroit for the last 52 years, he officiated over hundreds of funerals for people. Helping families who couldn't afford to pay for a funeral, receive a dignified service. Due to his determination to make a difference he regularly fed the homeless and would give the clothes off his back to help anyone in need. When there was a disaster, he would immediately go to help.

He volunteered on the search and rescue team and the triage area of the 9-11 tragedy in New York, as well as the NAACP mission to Africa where he baptized a baby born in a tree during the floods and returned home with an empty suitcase because he gave away all his clothing. During Hurricane Katrina and a tornado in Alabama on a solo mission he drove a van filled with water, tools, personal care items and medical supplies to provide help to the victims, sponsored a 5k Run to raise money for The African American History Museum in Detroit, advocated for children with disabilities to be allowed to participate on his basketball team, participated in forums on the PBS American Black Journal Program and was featured on several other media platforms. He also worked for Channel 7 WXYZ NEWS, WGPR RADIO, WJZZ SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO AND GANNET OUTDOOR. Two of his proudest achievements was being on the committee that brought Nelson Mandela to the United States and taking all the children to see Obama's inauguration in Washington.

My grandparents, like most seniors, are on a fixed income. Due to serious health issues my grandmother is partially disabled and was dependent on my Papi financially and for day-to-day care. Medical bills and other unforeseen emergencies have taken away all their savings and this unexpected tragedy could cause the loss of her home.

In this difficult time, we are reaching out to seek your support. The funds raised through this fundraiser will help cover immediate expenses, including medical expenses, funeral related costs and provide short-term support and other essential living expenses. My grandmother now faces the immense challenge of moving forward without his support and your generous donations will make all the difference in helping her navigate the days ahead. We are deeply grateful for your support. Any amount is appreciated. Every contribution, no matter how small will go directly to assuring she has the resources she needs to bury my Papi and rebuild her life. Your Kindness and support will help Papi’s memory and carry his legacy of love forward through his family

Thank you for helping us in our time of need and keeping his memory alive. We are devastated and will surely miss our Papi.

Thank You: The loving family of Stephen Singleton