http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, September 26, 2024 17
Willie Lee
“Bubby”
English, 81, of
Battle Creek,
Mich., passed
away peace-
fully, with his
family by his
side, on Sept.
17, 2024.
Willie, also
known as Big Bubby, was born
Nov. 9, 1942, to Narcissus and
Willie English Sr. in Ruleville, Miss.
He moved to Michigan as a child
and attended Battle Creek Public
Schools, graduating from Battle
Creek Central High School in 1960.
He was the second oldest child of
nine children and served as the
family’s patriarch. Bubby worked for
Clark Equipment and Consumers
Power, retiring in 2003 as an electri-
cal engineer.
Bubby resided in Battle Creek.
He was known as a sharp dresser
and an avid sports enthusiast. Early
in his life, he enjoyed singing and
was a member of a Doo Wop band.
He participated in all sports in high
school and excelled in swimming,
football and basketball. He won four
world series softball championships
for 55 and older and played well
into his 70s.
He loved his family and was par-
ticularly close to his mother! He was
especially proud of his children and
grandchildren. He enjoyed attending
their high school sporting events
and was often in the bleachers
cheering them on. He was a lifelong
Pittsburg Steelers fan and enjoyed
softball and bowling.
Bubby is survived by his chil-
dren: daughter Sonya Alexander
Hill, Willie English III (Lisa) and
Dino English (Shanelle). He deeply
loved his family and grandchildren,
Summer English Menz (Jordan),
Dreyson, Garryn English and
Dharia Piper Owens. He had one
great-granddaughter, Oakley Joy
Menz, whom he adored. Surviving
sisters are Barbara Ford and Cherry
Evans Vassar, who was like a sec-
ond father to her. Willie had a host
of nieces and nephews, other spe-
cial relatives and friends throughout
his life. Willie Hale was a lifelong
friend who was a like a brother to
him.
He was preceded in death
by his father, Willie English Sr.;
mother, Narcissus Evans; stepfa-
ther, Rosevelt Evans; and siblings
Douglas Evans, Patricia English
(Woodson), Alma English (Isom),
Chester English, Jimmy and Teddy
Evans.
In 1967, he married his high
school sweetheart, Rena Joy
Sedore, and they had two boys
together, Willie English III (Little
Bubby) and Dino. In 1995, he mar-
ried Pamela Armstrong and was
stepfather to Jimmy Manual, Tommy
Boyd and Raymond Bagwell, as
well as a grandfather to Taiwanna
(Jarvis), Trevor Manuel, Myiah
Bagwell, Peyton Rodriguez, and
Alexis and Tommy Boyd Jr.
The family of Bubby would like to
express their heartfelt gratitude and
support in remembrance of Bubby.
We would especially like to thank
and express our deep appreciation
and love for our sister and aunt
Cherry, who continues to provide
support and care for her family.
A celebration of life was held in
his honor on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at
Second Missionary Baptist Church,
with visitation at 11 a.m. Services
started at noon. A gravesite burial
followed immediately at Memorial
Park Cemetery in Battle Creek,
Mich.
Memorials may be made to the
American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by Baxter Funeral &
Cremation Service. 269-788-9800/
http://www.baxterfuneral.COMDo you have
your
in a row?
Wills • Trusts • Probate • Powers of Attorney
Housley Peters Law Office
(269) 248-6500 - Marshall, MIYou, Lord,
hear the desire
of the afflicted;
you encourage
them, and you
listen to their
cry. —Psalm
10:
Tina Marie
Erskine
(Pflugerville,
Texas), born Jan. 3, 1957, in Calhoun
County, Mich., passed away peacefully
into the arms of her Lord and Savior on
Sept. 11, 2024, after a long and coura-
geous battle with cancer.
Tina was a proud graduate of Harper
Creek High School, Class of 1975. Upon
graduation, she married William H.
Erskine III (now deceased) and had two
sons. As a single mother, Tina embarked
upon a long and successful sales career,
encompassing a Tupperware franchise
and work in local retail and insurance.
After relocating to the Austin, Texas,
area, she owned and operated an office
cleaning business with the support of
her two sons. Her entrepreneurial spirit
and business acumen were always in
evidence.
Later, Tina pursued her passion for
travel and became a respected inde-
pendent travel agent, honored for her
exceptional customer service. She
organized many memorable trips for
family and friends, including excur-
sions to Australia, Germany, France, The
Netherlands, Ireland, Italy and Europe.
An avid musician from a young age,
Tina taught herself to play the piano
and enjoyed playing and singing famil-
iar hymns from her youth. Her piano
was a permanent fixture in her home
and music was a cherished part of her
life, providing joy and solace to those
around her.
Tina also had a deep passion for
gardening. She took great pride in her
many plantings, including her belovedkoi pond in the backyard. From her
porch, she found delight in watching
hummingbirds visit her feeders, adding
a touch of nature’s beauty to her daily
life.
Tina’s deep and abiding faith was
the cornerstone of her life. She was a
beloved member of Pflugerville First
Baptist Church, where she found a sup-
portive community and regularly wor-
shipped. Tina continued her grandpar-
ents’ tradition of daily Bible devotions.
In testimony to her faith, Tina adopted a
child through a program of Rafiki Africa
Ministries, demonstrating her compas-
sion and dedication to helping others.
She is survived by her two sons,
Michael (40) and Phillip (38), and her
cherished granddaughter, Samantha
(16), in whom she took immense pride,
especially in her academic achieve-
ments and athletic skills. Tina is also
survived by her mother, Annette (Martin,
Bahs, VanMiddlesworth) Bornor; her
stepfather, William M. Bornor; sis-
ters Teresa (Bahs) Farah and Michele
(Bahs) Trevathan; step-sisters Gloria
(VanMiddlesworth) Hunter, Rachelle
(Bailey) Jenkins, Kimberly (Bailey)
Porlier, Elizabeth “Susie” Bornor, Sally
(Bornor) Johnson, Sandra Bornor; and
stepbrothers Don Bailey and W. Mark
Bornor.
Tina was preceded in death by her
father, Wendell D. Bahs, and stepmoth-
ers Jocelyn Bahs and Christine Bahs.
Family and friends are invited to join
in honoring Tina’s memory at a grave-
side service Nov. 16, 2024, 2 p.m., at
Leroy Congregational Church, 1997 H
Drive South, East Leroy, MI. A time of
fellowship and remembrance will take
place immediately following at The
Greenfield House, 215 N. Capital Ave.,
Athens, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests
that donations be made to Rafiki Africa
Ministries in memory of Tina. http://www.rafi-
kiministries.org.