22 Thursday, August 15, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
Fayetta
Marie (Martin)
Moore/Cowans
was born in
Mathews,
Missouri, on
August 2,
1938, to Ida
Bell Arnold
and Alfred M.
Martin. Shortly
after birth, they
moved north to Detroit, Michigan, and
then to Battle Creek, Michigan, where
they took up residence. Fayetta received
her call from the Heavenly Father on
August 1, 2024, at the age of 85, one
day from her 86th birthday!
She began her schooling in Detroit,
Michigan, and ended it in Battle Creek,
Michigan. Fayetta was employed by Post
Tavern, Roma Café, Leila Hospital and
Veterans Administration Hospital.
Preceding her in death were her par-
ents, Idabell Martin-Yager and Alfred
Martin; stepfather Sidney R. Yager;
husband Howard James Moore, Sr.;
daughter Rhonda E. Moore; sons
James Howard Moore and Howard
James Moore, Jr.; sister Lenora “Diane”
(Yager) Smith; brothers Marvin L. Yager
and Roosevelt S. Yager; grandson
Larry J. Miller; great-grandsons Jesus
McDonald, Dandre McDonald and Isaiah
McDonald.
Fayetta was rooted and grounded in
her faith and love for the Lord. She
attended Holy Light Missionary Baptist
Church (Pastor Robert Copeland/Pastor
J.C. Oliver), Mount Pilgrim Missionary
Baptist Church (Pastor Bailey) and First
Salem Baptist Church (Pastor Seals).
She was active on the Mothers Board,
Missionary Society, as well as singing
in the choirs. She would assist in doing
the Lord’s work whenever she could.
The Lord was her Rock, and she passed
it on to her family with emphasis on the
fact that “There is some things in life,
you have to know for yourself,” mean-
ing our Heavenly Father!
She is survived by her husband, Eddie
W. Cowans; sister Violet Mae Kelly,
sisters-in-law Elizabeth Hayford and
Betty (Gaines) Yager; daughters Vickie
(Darryl) McDonald, Idabell (Marcus)
March, Yulanda (Charles) Wingfield;sons Larry (Patricia) Martin, Sidney
(Alicia) Moore, Michael (Casandra)
Moore; and she is also survived by 14
grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren,
and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She
was truly Blessed to be the Matriarch
of 5 Generations, and a host of nieces,
nephews and cousins.
Fayetta loved family, cooking and serv-
ing the Lord. She was always there! If
you were hungry, she would make sure
you ate. If you needed clothing, she
made sure you were dressed. (Fayetta
loved to dress.) When you needed com-
fort, she would pull out God’s word. If
you needed a dollar or two, you got it!
She loved doing things with her chil-
dren like playing outside with them, and
participating in things that were going
on in their lives. She liked to gather the
kids together in the back room to play
Pokeno and Tunk. She liked to bowl.
Of course, she was the “Captain,” team
name “Battle Creek Dolls,” a family
thang. While working at the VA, she
was part of the Chorus line, and when
we had “ROOTS” Day, she would be out
there playing softball with us, even after
she had done the planning and most
of the cooking and organizing of the
event. She also enjoyed playing bingo
and going to the casino. Fayetta loved
listening to some good old (music) love
songs and gospel. So, as you can see,
she was blessed to have lived a very
fruitful God-filled life.
Fayetta, your love, compassion and
presence on this side will truly be
missed beyond what any words can
say! God has called his Angel back
home! Good job, my Faithful Servant!
Visitation was held at Baxter Funeral
& Cremation Service, 375 W. Dickman
Road, on Wednesday, August 14, 2024,
from 11 a.m. to noon.
A celebration of life was held at
Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service on
Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at noon,
with Rev. William Wyne of Second
Missionary Baptist Church officiating.
Entombment took place in Memorial
Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the charity
of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service; 269-788-9800/www.
baxterfuneral.com— ELDER LAW —- Legal advice & counseling regarding long term care.
- Protecting your home and assets.
- Advice for your financial and/or medical condition.
- Benefits available to you including Medicaid & veterans.
— PROBATE & ESTATE PLANNING — - Wills and trusts
- Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Finances
- Pre and post nuptial agreements
Stacey Lott • Planning for blended and non-traditional families
Attorney at Law
269-963-8222 • http://www.staceylottlaw.com
130 East Columbia Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49015
Russell
Decker (Russ,
Dad, Papa,
Sprouts) left
us on Monday,
August 5, 2024,
at the age of 86.
He was born
at home in the
Traverse City
area to Alvin and
Nela Decker, the second of five children.
He lived most of life in East Leroy, first
at his parents’ farm and then almost 64
years in the home that he built. He was
the salutatorian of Athens High School
class of 1956. He played as the catcher
on their baseball team.
Russ married Patricia (Patty) Miller
on June 17, 1961. Together they raised
four children. Russ served in the Air
National Guard for six years. He worked
at Kellogg’s – mostly in the printing
department (Kelpaco) – for 37 years,
retiring in 1992. He was an even-
tempered, easy-going man. He enjoyed
traveling and took his family on some
amazing cross-country vacations. He
visited Hawaii, Alaska, Japan, Germany,
Netherlands, and most of the continen-
tal United States. He dabbled in wood-
working and created some beautiful wall
display cases, apothecary dressers and
shelves. Russ enjoyed watching sports
on TV and especially cheering for the
Detroit Tigers. He spent a lot of time
hunting deer in the fall and, for many
years, went to South Dakota pheasant
hunting. In the summer, he mowed
his lawn (a LOT!) and worked on the
pool more than he swam in it. He also
enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren very much!
Russ is survived by his wife of
63 years, Patty; his children, Chris
(Patty) Decker, Andrea (David) Tosh,
Tim Decker and Eric (Mariah) Decker;
grandchildren Lance McCray, Sarah
McCray, Dominick (fiancée Erin) Decker,
Greg (Shannon) Tosh, Allyson (Jordan)
Mollenkamp, Jennifer (Brad) Easterday,
Janaye (boyfriend Tyler) Decker, Josh
Decker and Logan (boyfriend Kylar)
Decker; and great-grandchildren
Emmalynn, Leah, Elliott, Benjamin,
Caroline, August, Annabelle, Madison,
Abel, Sawyer, Timber, Jayce, Raegen,
Dutton, Haden, Miah, Brendalynn,
Mayvis and Briggs. He is also survived
by his sister, Dianna Schroder; sisters-in
law Lena Decker, Nancy Miller and Bette
Nuzum; and many nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Friday,
August 9, 2024, from 5-8 p.m. at the
Richard A. Henry Funeral Home &
Cremation Services. A funeral ser-
vice was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday,
August 10, 2024, at the funeral home.
Interment took place at Burr Oak
Cemetery in Athens, Michigan.
Russ’ family would like to thank
the staff at Reflections Memory Care
(Cyley and many of the staff), Heartland
Hospice (Laura, Scott and Mara),
Bronson Battle Creek Hospital 5th Floor
and Kairos Dwelling for the love and
care they provided during his stays.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be
made to Kairos Dwelling.
Memories and condolences may be
left for the fam-
ily at http://www.hen-
ryfuneralhome.
org.VISIT US ONLINE
THEBATTLECREEKSHOPPER.COM