http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS Thursday, October 17, 2024 19
Emma Jean
Holmes, 80, of
Battle Creek,
Michigan,
entered eternal
rest on October
6, 2024. Born
on June 9, 1944,
to Abraham
and Ola Holmes
in Brewton,
Alabama. In 1993, she married her
beloved Warren Givens, marking the
beginning of a beautiful chapter in her
life.
Emma graduated from Washington
Gardner High School in Albion,
Michigan, in 1962. Shortly thereafter,
she pursued her passion for caregiving
and became a registered nurse for the
V.A. Medical Center for over 30 years
until retirement.
Emma gave her life to the Lord at
an early age.She became a ordained
minister and was an evangelist at heart,
winning countless souls through her
ministry under the leadership of the late
Bishop Alpheus Williams and Pastor
Albert McKenzie of the Church of God of
Prophecy. Her voice soared in worship
as a cherished member of the World-
Renowned Lamora Park COGOP Adult
Choir. In her later years, Emma faithfully
served as a church mother at New Level
Sports Ministry under Pastor Chris
McCoy, nurturing younger generations
in faith and wisdom.
Emma had a fondness for dining out,
shopping, teaching Sunday school,and above all, reading the Bible to her
grandchildren, a cherished tradition that
will be remembered for generations.
She was preceded in death by her
parents, Abraham and Ola Holmes;
her devoted husband, Warren Givens;
granddaughter Kelvette Holmes; great-
granddaughter K’Nylah Holmes; and
siblings Willie, Isaac and Arthur Lee
Holmes, Jewel Thomas, Nelda Gaddis,
Barbara Latimore, Roma Holmes and
Peggy Holmes.
Emma leaves behind a powerful
legacy that will be carried forward by
her sons, Raymond (Marilyn) Holmes
and Kelvin (Monique) Holmes; loving
grandchildren Keyvlin Holmes, Kelvin
De’Angelo Holmes, Markia Holmes,
Chartice Holmes, Ray Holmes Jr.,
Bethany Holmes, Jonathan Holmes,
Krystol Holmes, Kelvin Dean Holmes
Jr., Cheri Virgil, Brennen Holmes, and
Kelvyon Holmes; 23 great-grandchildren
and two great-great-grandchildren. She
is also survived by her brothers Fredrick
“Sam” Holmes and Earnest (Patsy)
Holmes; sister Ola “Lizzy” Fields; her
best friend and “sister” in Christ, Tressie
Watson; her dear friends, Suge(robyn),
Verna Holton; and a multitude of nieces,
nephews, cousins.
Emma’s memory will forever remain in
the hearts of her loved ones.
A repast will be held at New Level
Sports Ministries, 400 Michigan Ave.,
Battle Creek, MI 49037, starting at
noon.Arrangements entrusted to Baxter
Funeral & Cremation Service http://www.bax-
terfuneral.com. 269-788-9800.Walter Jim
Bell passed
peacefully on
Monday, Sept.
23, 2024. He was
born Feb. 21,
1931 to Walter
and Marguerite
(Schuck) Bell
in Battle Creek,
Mich.
His greatest joy was his marriage
to Ella Joy (McKay) Bell. They fell in
love and were married on June 19,
- From that moment on, they were
dedicated to building a loving family and
home together in Augusta, Mich., where
they lived for over 60 years. In June
2024, the couple celebrated their 70th
wedding anniversary together with their
family and friends.
Jim, as he’s known to most of
his friends and family, graduated from
Western Michigan University. Driven
by an early desire to support his com-
munity and country, Jim proudly served
as Sergeant 1st Class with the U.S.
Army following World War II in Austria.
Upon his return home to Battle Creek,
Jim entered a banking career that lasted
for over three decades. He retired from
Comerica Bank in Battle Creek as chair-
man of the board and president in 1987.
Although hardworking and ambitious,
he maintained that honesty and integ-
rity were integral to his professional
achievements.
He was active as an officer and
board member for several financial
and banking organizations. Always
eager to be involved with the local
business community, Jim was the first
president of the BC/CAL/KAL Inland Port
Development Corporation, a member of
Battle Creek Unlimited, the Battle Creek
Chamber of Commerce, the Battle Creek
Downtown Development, and Battle
Creek United Way.
In his “retirement,” Jim began
to offer sales and finance consulting
services, an endeavor that took him on
travels to Europe, the Middle East and
North Africa, Asia and Central America.
He then owned and founded Select
Financial Services, a financial company
dedicated to empowering and uplifting
his clients that might not have otherwise
found support in obtaining financial ser-
vices. A lifelong learner, Jim continued
to pursue education and learning oppor-
tunities throughout his life.
Although his strong work ethic
was evident by his professional accom-
plishments, he will be most remem-
bered by his family and friends for his
warmth, loyalty, and his ability to listen
and empathize with others. With a life-
long love of the outdoors and travel,
Jim took many trips throughout his
lifetime, including frequent fishing trips
to Canada and Alaska with friends and
relatives. Boating on Lake Michigan and
camping trips around the Great Lakes
were adventures he shared with his
family. His wanderlust also took him fur-
ther afield, to the deserts of the Middle
East, the inside of the Great Pyramids
of Egypt, to the Great Wall of China
and the tulip fields of the Netherlands.
Always one to embrace change and
never shying from technology, in his
later years Jim kept in close touch with
all his children and grandchildren, some
of whom were scattered throughout the
world, always keeping up to date with
their lives, interests and accomplish-
ments.
His entrepreneurial spirit frequently
lent itself to inventive and creative
endeavors, including assembling a log
cabin from fallen trees on his property
at which he would later enjoy entertain-
ing friends and family. His grandchildren
fondly remember him giving tours of
his woods on a vintage red tractor. He
always had an interesting or quirky
story to tell about his day to day adven-
tures.
Jim is lovingly remembered and
survived by his wife, Ella Joy, his
children, Jane (Stephen) Greenman,
Jim (Angela) Bell, Julie (Paul) DenUyl
and Janet (Jason) Rogers. He is also
survived by his nine grandchildren,
Amanda Greenman Navarra, Laura
Briley, Jeff Greenman, Leslie Marvin,
Paul DenUyl, James DenUyl, Daniel Bell,
John DenUyl, and Jack Rogers; as well
as nine great-grandchildren.
Memorial services for family,
friends and community members wish-
ing to honor Jim will be held at Fort
Custer National Cemetery 10:30 a.m.
Friday, October 18, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, the family
asks that a donation be given in Jim’s
memory to an organization close to your
heart.
Personal message for Jim’s fam-
ily may be placed at http://www.farleyestes-
dowdle.com.Patti Ann
Vahary, 65, of
Battle Creek,
Michigan,
passed away
on Wednesday,
October 9,
2024 at home,
surrounded
by her family.
She was born
on February 4, 1959, the daughter of
Donald Moore Dawson and Jane D.
(Mohr) Dawson.
Patti worked for 18 years at Kohl’s in
Battle Creek as an administrative assis-
tant until her retirement. She enjoyed
photography, especially capturing pic-
tures of air shows and balloons. She
was an avid antique collector of many
things and loved to bowl. She was a
devoted wife and mother, always making
sure her family was taken care of. Shewill be greatly missed by all those that
knew and loved her.
Patti is survived by her husband, John
T. Vahary; son, John T. Vahary Jr.; and
three sisters, Joi DeYoung, Vicki Pierce,
Donna (William) Van Dyke.
She was preceded in death by her par-
ents, Donald and Jane Dawson.
Visitation was held at the Baxter
Funeral & Cremation Service, on
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from 6-
p.m. Funeral services will be held at the
Baxter Funeral and Cremation Service
on Thursday, October 17, 2024, start-
ing at noon. Interment at Fort Custer
National Cemetery will follow the ser-
vice.
Memorials may be made to the
American Cancer Society in memory of
Patti.
Arrangements by the Baxter Funeral
& Cremation Service. 269-788-9800.
http://www.baxterfuneral.com