Mrs. Frances Almeta Battle

Frances Almeta Battle was born May 16, 1913 in Kalamazoo, MI to Maxwell Simpson Birch and the former Flora Nathan Doughit. She had a very happy childhood. While visiting a family relative in Chicago, she met and fell in love with her future husband, Daniel Battle. Daniel spent his early years in Kentucky working as a mining engineer. Later, after moving to Chicago, he accepted the Lord’s call and began training for the ministry. Frances and Rev. Battle were married on December 23, 1940 and were very happy together. They later moved to Kalamazoo, MI where Rev. Battle worked as a master mechanic. Upon arriving in Kalamazoo, Frances joined Allen Chapel AME Church, where she served faithfully for over 60 years until her health began to fail. She was a very active member in the Etta B. King Women’s Missionary Society, using her creative art skills knitting lap blankets, mittens, hats and scarves, giving them to whomever had a need. The couple had one child, a son named Donald, who later married Shelley, who was soon to be a beloved member of the family. Rev. Battle and Frances were married 62 years. Sadly, Rev. Battle passed away on March 14, 2003 at the age of 100 years. It was Frances desire to become a nurse. She enrolled in Bronson Hospital School of Nursing, passed her boards and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), in the state of Michigan in November 1954. She enjoyed her work immensely and was a wonderful, caring nurse. She worked at the Kalamazoo State Hospital for many years and also volunteered with the Red Cross. She provided personal private care to any friend who was ill. She also helped anyone who was in need and gave generously of her time, skilled care, supplies and medications. Frances was always a motivated, affectionate and optimistic person. She loved dogs, especially German Shepherds and Dobermans. Three of her favorite canine companions were Barron, Thor and Princess. She always loved a good cup of coffee with cream and sugar. Some of her hobbies included gardening, fishing, knitting and crocheting. She also had a vegetable garden with pole beans and tomatoes and beautiful flowers growing in the yard-beautiful hosta plants surrounded the driveway and lovely rose bushes in the backyard. She was very talented at knitting and crocheting and has made many items over the years including afghans, blankets, sweaters, vests, hats and let’s not forget sweaters for her “grand doggies” that are still in use today. Macramé was something else she loved; she made some beautiful Christmas ornaments and wreaths. Frances was quite the fisherwoman and once caught a Northern Pike that weighed about 13 lbs. and measured almost three feet long. She was the winner of the “biggest fish” contest in Canada with that Northern Pike catch about 20 years ago. She was awarded a trophy for catching the largest fish that summer at Rondeau Bay! Frances was truly a generous, caring and compassionate lady who gave all she had to helping others. She will be remembered as being a kindhearted person who devoted her life to helping others and make the world a better place. Frances Almeta Battle peacefully entered into eternal rest at Upjohn Community Care Center Home, on Friday, November 19, 2010 at the age of 97 years. She leaves to cherish her memory: her son Don and his wife Shelley of Mitchellville, MD; a sister-in-law, Barbara Birch of Southfield, MI; a niece Rev. Ida Young and family of Chicago, IL; special friends Marvin & Julie Thompson, the BeDell/Clarke families, Marie Beamon, John & Alice Buchanan and a great host of many, many other special friends.

Mrs. Frances Almeta Battle

May 16, 1913 - November 19, 2010