Lynetta Marie Simmons Mosby, beloved wife, friend, social worker, professor and author passed into eternal life in the comfort of her home on Sunday, June 9, 2024. Lynetta was born August 19, 1953 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Eloise Block-James and was raised by Ms. Martha Coulter (Aunt Martha). She attended Pfeifer Elementary and St. Bartholomew Catholic School in Little Rock and was baptized a Catholic at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church at age 12. She was befriended by Emma Cunningham, who brought her to Detroit so she could continue her education. Lynetta graduated from Mackenzie High School in Detroit, Michigan in 1972.

Lynetta learned at an early age about trials and tribulations. It was from those early experiences that molded her into the person she became and followed her into her professional life.

After graduation from high school, she entered Madonna College in Livonia, Michigan where she received several awards for service and academia. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work in 1976.

Her life-long work assisted others that were in pain or crisis. She worked with children and adolescents at Franklin-Wright Settlement, the Optometric Institute and Eye Clinic and Samaritan Health Center providing case management and counseling services. In 1978, Lynetta began working for the Michigan Department of Social Services, Protective Services for Children and Youth, investigating child abuse and neglect cases. It was during her casework that she first met her future husband, Dr. Gerard Mosby. While working 24-hour Child Protective Service (CPS) cases at 1:00 a.m., Lynetta brought to Children’s Hospital of Michigan two children who had to be removed from their homes and needed medical clearance before they could be placed in a home. Dr. Mosby examined them in a timely manner and was impressed by her genuine care and concern for the children. Several months later, they met by chance at a friend’s home and set up their first date (but unknown to Gerard) on her lunch hour at 8 p.m. with six of her colleagues! They were married July 9, 1990 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Austin, Texas.

In 1997, she earned a doctorate degree in Sociology from Wayne State University in Detroit. She began working with Oakland University as an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology and became the director of the social work concentration. Student comments noted life experiences she shared made her lectures and materials easier to understand. The buzz on campus was if you liked the Detroit Lions you could work for extra credit.

In 2006, she was recognized by the President of Oakland University for her outstanding work in bringing the collaborative efforts of Oakland University and Michigan State University together to develop a social work concentration on Oakland’s campus and a Bachelor’s Degree program in Social Work.

Lynetta was involved in various organizations, including the Academy of Certified Social Workers, Kappa Gamma Pi National Catholic Women’s Honor Society, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Association of Social Workers and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. Lynetta was a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Detroit with her husband, Gerard. Lynetta was a bigger-than-life Detroit Lions fan and attended games enthusiastically with Gerard and friends. She liked to travel especially for the Detroit Lions away games. She even followed the Lions to London during the 2014 season. Oh, what a joy for her to finally see those Lions succeed when no one expected it. I think she saw a bit of herself in the new and improved Lions. She retired and wrote her first book, Fools Mountain in October, 2019. The story focused on a young girl’s loss, learning to love others and how to love yourself. She had always been a voracious reader so she created and invited friends to the “Turning Pages Book Club”.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lynetta’s personal relations were marked by love and devotion and her marriage to Gerard was a symbol of deep connection and mutual respect. All of her friends were special to her and she accepted everyone as they were. Lynetta’s memory will continue to inspire those who knew her, as her kindness, compassion, and dedication to others remain a guiding light for all who were fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her.

Her enduring impact on the field of social work, her relationships with loved ones, and her creative pursuits will be cherished and celebrated for generations to come. She leaves to honor her memory her husband of 34 years, Dr. Gerard Mosby, all of her family, friends who have become family, and neighbors who were very close to her heart. Her dog, Jackson, a Border Collie, who brought her much joy, will miss her as well.

https://www.king-tearsmortuary.com/obituaries/lynetta-mosby?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0lZIhwltQrGERZG4dvUYV8c9G47R47uAxVyBY5kXUoFW-6D8SNqf1he94_aem_u