John Lee Lipscomb Sr.

John Lee Lipscomb Sr.
A.K.A. “Hollywood” – The First Gentleman of God’s Love Ministry – Winning Souls For Christ (WSFC)
Sunrise: December 27, 1954, | Sunset: January 27, 2026
(He joyfully celebrated his birthday every Christmas Day)
Let me tell you a story… HIS- STORY…

Mr. John Lee Lipscomb Sr. peacefully transitioned from this life on January 27, 2026, at home, surrounded by his loving wife, children, and family.

John was born on December 27, 1954, to the late Mrs. Emma Brooks-Lipscomb in Columbus, Mississippi. He was the seventh child of seven boys that all preceded him in death including his biological father, Oscar Tippets.
As a teenager, his mom moved to Grand Rapids, MI and started a new life here in this city for her and her boys. John, her baby boy, graduated from Grand Rapids Central Highschool (Go Rams!) in 1973 and shortly after obtaining his diploma, went to work at Grand Rapids Auto Plating. It wasn’t long before he discovered a deep affinity for Construction which led him to Bouma Corporation. This is where he successfully completed a four-year apprenticeship in Carpentry while studying at Grand Rapids Community College. He went on to receive full United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America Journeyman status in 1982 and became a very active member of the Carpenter Local Union 335. He worked hard every day, doing what he loved in Carpentry and Construction until he retired.

John met, fell in love and married Eddie M. Belcher. Together God blessed them with six children: Ella, Latesha, Reshonda, Vickeia, Johnasia and John II … Yes, finally a boy after years of being a “girl dad”. John is also a treasured and beloved grandfather and great-grandfather to: Oct’avia, Brianna, Ke’Aira, Demetrius, Edward Jr., Zackery, Darnell II, Emma, Shanell, Akiesha (AK), Caius, Esmereyna (Esme) and a total of eleven incredible great-grandchildren.

John believed in and cared deeply for his family. And as a result of that he was committed to annual road trips that exposed his children to family, culture, and the heat index of the deep south Summer after Summer. He was the first to volunteer whenever his family needed or wanted to travel anywhere on the open road, for any reason. He loved the highway and never missed an opportunity to live, laugh and love at a family reunion or celebration of life for a loved one. John would “gas up” and hit the highway without question. And because of that, all of his children value and welcome road trips till this day, given their fond memories of loading up the big, blue van and visiting the zoo or aquarium, as a family, in every state they visited.

As a Dad, he never missed an opportunity to celebrate or cheer on his children. He attended everything from football to Soccer games and high school to Law School graduations with immense pride and always cheered the loudest over his children’s accomplishments, big and small.

John was also very intentional about cheering on his wife and was an avid supporter and worker in ministry at God’s Love Ministry – Winning Souls for Christ which has a been a little church, in a big city, with a big heart… nestled for many years on the NW Side of town. You could often find him serving God’s people alongside his wife and other church members. John was servant leader in his own way.

John loved the great outdoors and took great pride in maintaining a beautiful yard, a flowerbed of Tulips, which were his personal favorite, and a big, bountiful garden over the years. His lawn was always cut, green and edged to perfection. He was somewhat competitive about his yard and took great pride in always having the most beautiful yard on the block.
Similarly, he was a big-time gardener, who loved to grow a little bit of everything over the years. He regularly used the harvest of various fruits and vegetables from his garden to bless neighbors with everything from cucumbers to collard greens over the years. Anything he would grow, he would gladly share with others and his wife often referred to his acts of kindness through food as “his ministry”. And even though he graciously gave to others, our freezer was always full for the year.

Another chapter in John’s story can best be described as the adventures of “Hollywood” and the motorcycle club he loved! He loved motorcycles, riding the open road to club meetings nation-wide and developing a brotherhood over the years with many motorcycle club friends that became more like family down through the years. Hollywood was the long-time President of the Grand Rapids Dream Weavers Motorcycle Club (MC), and served with his whole heart as a national advisor for the group. As a Motorcycle Club that cared a great deal for community, you could find them hosting community events that brought people together regularly for food, fun and fellowship. He served side-by-side closely with his long-term VP the late Edward “Mission-Man” Poindexter down through the years. Whether it was about building Thanksgiving Baskets for families in need or celebrating the life and legacy of a club member in the backyard at his home, Hollywood was indeed and will always be a Dream Weavers lifer.

Speaking of life… John was full of it! He loved sports and was an avid fan of U of M Athletics and the Chicago Bears. His favorite sport was baseball and in his younger years, he played semi-pro baseball and loved to race his kids throughout the Black Hills to prove how fast he was. To his chagrin, he always won every single race. Including this one, which is what we’re here to celebrate today.

He also loved the sound of music… blues, Gospel, RnB, and smooth jazz followed him everywhere. He was a DJ for many years, and you could easily find him spinning the hottest tunes in local hole in the wall spots around the city. In his last days, when he could no longer utter words, he found peace and joy in listening to music, a universal language he understood all too well.
He leaves to cherish his memory:

His devoted wife of 52 years, Eddie M. Lipscomb; his children Ella (Edward) Bonner, Latesha Lipscomb, JD, Reshonda (Darnell) Roberts, Vickeia Mayweather, Johnasia Lipscomb, and John Lee Lipscomb II; his grandchildren (12) and great-grandchildren (11) ; his Sister-in-Law Diane (Wendell) McKinney; his last living Uncle Eddie (Edna) Brooks of St. Louis, MS; his beloved apprentice  Antonio “Tony” Dyson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, friends, and loved ones who will forever celebrate his remarkable life.

Closing Scripture
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
The end… or maybe it’s just a new beginning…