Obituaries
Rhoma S. Powers
Rhoma S. Powers, age 91, of Bellevue, entered our Lord’s Kingdom on December 17, 2019. She was born January 11, 1928, in Crystal City, Miss., to loving and devoted parents, Mitchell C. Smith and Mary B. (Phillips) Smith. She was a graduate of Crystal City High School and attended Central Methodist College in Missouri.
The story of Rhoma cannot be told without her beloved husband, David. Rhoma and David were part of the “Greatest Generation.” Prior to David enlisting in the United States Navy and serving in the Armed Guard during World War II, David and Rhoma had their “first date” on December 23, 1943. They celebrated that date for the next 70 years. Shortly after their first date, David told a buddy that he “was going to marry that girl someday.” David and Rhoma were married August 5, 1947.
Rhoma provided a loving home for her husband of nearly 67 years. She was a wonderful mother to their two daughters, Janice Lynn and Joan Elyce. When Rhoma retired from the health care field, she and David moved from Battle Creek to Bellevue in 1990 and built their dream retirement home, “Penny Run.” They enjoyed being closer to their grandsons, Mitch and Scott, and attended many of their sporting events. Rhoma was a member of the Bellevue Book Club, 20th Century Club, Bellevue Historical Society, Friends of Bellevue Township Library, Methodist Primetimers, and Bellevue Task Force. She and David were long-time members of Bellevue First Baptist Church (Pastor Donald Francis).
Rhoma is survived by her daughter, Joan (Parr) Powers of Bellevue. Her grandsons, Mitchell (Jennifer) Parr of Dallas, Texas and Scott David Parr of Beijing, China. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Dennis (Nancy) Rewa; grandsons, Ben Rewa and Joey Rewa and granddaughter, Kelli (Brady) Hustad; seven great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Judith (Joe) Powers and Beverly (Dick) Bueker; and four nephews and one niece.
She was preceded in death by her infant sister, Norma Jean; her loving daughter, Janice (Denny) Rewa and her beloved husband, David Lynn Powers.
Cremation has taken place and a private memorial service is being arranged. In her final days, Rhoma said “don’t be sad when I die, I have had a wonderful journey.”
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services in Marshall. Visit kempffuneral.com to see the online obituary, sign the online guest book or leave condolences to the family.
James Phillip Hale
James Phillip Hale, age 67, of Albion, a loving father who enjoyed laughter, died December 25, 2019. Born in Albion to Wallace and Myrtle (Hollenbeck) Hale on November 3, 1952, he grew up learning about hard work and enjoying the little things in life. His Aunt Dorothy was a mother figure after his parents died, and he had lots of special memories with her, especially ice skating together. Hunting and fishing were very important to Jim, spending as much of his free time in these activities as possible to provide food for the table and time to slow down for him. He also enjoyed watching TV — especially cooking shows, classic TV, the History Channel and westerns (especially Laramie). As a resident at Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services, Jim enjoyed bird watching and could name most of the birds that came to the feeders. He also enjoyed putting together puzzles, playing bingo and solving Sudoku puzzles. Jim worked on a farm for 20 years, then later worked at Lear Corporation in Marshall.
Jim is survived by daughters, Angela (Jeffery) Hill and Trisha Earls (Andy Minix); sons, Thomas Hale and Jesse Hale; grandchildren, Joe, Brandon, Brittany, Matt, Cody, Katie, Nic, Tiffany, Autum, Dylan, Alyssa, Kaden, Josh, Conner, Brooklynn, Hunter, Jase, and Kane; brother, Phillip Hale; and former wife, Shelly Neal and her daughters, Kayla Slone and Rhonda Sizemore; and caregiver Justin at Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services, who took excellent care of James. He was predeceased by his parents; and his brother, Wallace Hale Jr.
Memorial services were held December 30, 2019, at Grace Freewill Baptist Church in Albion. If desired, memorial contributions are suggested to the family. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of James on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Kathy K. Shepard-Hussey
Kathy K. Shepard-Hussey – a loving, kind and devoted Christian – died Wednesday, December 25, 2019, in Ann Arbor. Kathy, age 67, was born August 6, 1952, in Lansing, to Edwin A. and Ruth (Campbell) Shepard Sr. She devoted her life to serving others. She worked as an eldercare giver and housekeeper and in an eldercare home as a caregiver, and she enjoyed being a homemaker. Kathy was a great cook and baker. Attending church was a strong passion for Kathy, and she loved volunteering in the church nursery. She also adored her pets, especially her dog George. Hobbies that Kathy enjoyed were traveling to fairs and flea markets, working in her flower gardens, caring for her house plants and spending time with her family. Kathy leaves a legacy behind of being faithful to God. She was a very strong and independent woman.
Kathy is survived by children, Chance and William Hussey; her grandchildren; loving friend and significant other who she had deep admiration for, Karl Kempf; siblings, Floyce Abernathy and Mary (Roger) Fuller. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, infant sister, Sandra K. Shepard; infant brother, Keith E. Shepard; and brother, Edwin A. Shepard Jr.
Friends are encouraged to support Kathy’s family at visitation and funeral services. Funeral services are Monday, January 6, 2020, at 1 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Pastor Randy Royston officiating. Visitation is Sunday, January 5, 2020, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Kathy on her Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.
Theodore R. Marshall
Theodore R. Marshall Sr., age 89, of Charlotte, passed away, Saturday, December 21, 2019, at Eaton County Health and Rehabilitation Services with his family by his side. He was born February 22, 1930, in Nashville, MI, the son of Everett and Minnie (White) Marshall. Ted honorably served his country in the United States Army. He adored his family and was proud of them all. Ted enjoyed playing cards, games and spending time in his garden. He worked the majority of his life as a master carpenter. He saw to it that each and every project was completed correctly the first time around.
Ted is survived by his children: Debra Ethridge of Eaton Rapids, Sindi Marshall of Charlotte, Tammy (Gary) Bower of Charlotte, Lisa Marshall of Charlotte, Beth Peeler of Texas; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret “Evelyn”; daughter, Lori Henry; son, Theodore R. Marshall II, grandchildren: Maggie Marshall and Joshua Meacham.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 30, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home in Charlotte. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
To view Ted’s obituary online, or to leave a condolence for the family, visit www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.
Clenton Goad
Clenton Goad, age 94, went home to be with his Lord, peacefully in his Charlotte home, on December 18, 2019. Clenton was born in Sycamore, KY, on August 19, 1925, to George and Maude Goad, and had six brothers growing up. He joined the U.S. Navy on September 25, 1942, in Norfolk, VA, at the age of 17, and was an important veteran of World War II, serving as an aviation machinist mate 3rd class on the aircraft carrier USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60), eventually capturing the now famous German U-Boat submarine U505, with the respected “Hunter-Killer” Task Force. The captured U505 was eventually moved to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, where it remains today.
After serving his country in the Navy, he lived in the South for many years, where he had six daughters and one son from a previous marriage. He married Shirley Ann Darling on January 22, 1966. He was an honest, hard-working man, working for Motor Wheel Corporation in Lansing as a foundryman for 15 years. Shirley recounts “he always put me and his kids first and was a steadfast, good provider.” When not working, Clenton is remembered as a devoted family man. He also had a passion for maintaining his properties, had large vegetable gardens and could fix about anything. He is remembered for his bright sense of humor, always wearing a smile and his positive outlook, plus being a world-class “picker” to his friends and family, always in love. He revered George Jones’ music, ate raw onions like apples, and his favorite meal was pinto beans, cornbread and buttermilk — a clear tribute to being a true southern gentleman.
His children are Tony Goad, Nona Irwing, Judy Bryant (Jerry), Cynthia Brown (David), Tanna Wermes (Jack), Wanda Petty (deceased), Wendy Masterson (Lynn), Michael Goad (Pablo), Alicia Crawley (Jimmie), Deborah Kerns (Tony), Shelly Van Belle (Dirk) and also many grand-, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren.
Cremation has taken place per his wishes. A memorial service is anticipated to occur in late spring or summer 2020, with expected internment at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI, at that time. The family would like to thank the at-home associates and staff at the Battle Creek VA for years of devoted care and the in-home Hospice folks from Sparrow Health System for their nurturing care. In lieu of flowers or remembrances, the family suggests any desired donations be made to your local Hospice organization.