A Life Well-Lived
Toy Ella Ruth Batty-Holmes was the first born to the late Pastor Lloyd James Batty and Toy Antonio Brown-Batty on January 28, 1922 in Dallas, Texas. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Evans and Mary Rosewell. Ella Ruth, as she was called, was educated in the Dallas Public Schools System and attended Phillips Business College where she demonstrated great skills in short-hand and typing. Ella Ruth gave her life to Christ at an early age at the Shady Grove Baptist Church where her father was the Pastor. She was very active in the church serving as the youth director, a member of the Young Matrons and the choir. She moved to Los Angeles, California in 1954 and united with El Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Victor L. Morris. She later united with Rehoboth Baptist Church under the leadership of her late husband, Pastor Emerson Holmes. In 1974, she united with Pilgrims Hope Baptist Church under the leadership of her son-in-law, the late Dr. T. L. Willis. At Pilgrims Hope, Ella Ruth was a member of the choir and the Chairperson of the Deaconess Board. She also served as the secretary of the Missionary Society. In 1993, Ella Ruth moved to Memphis, TN and became a member of Riverside Baptist Church and then New Life of Memphis under the leadership of her grandchildren, Bishop Kevin and Pastor Linda Willis. She was a faithful member until her health failed. Ella Ruth was a dedicated worker for Swift Cleaners in Los Angeles, California as a silk-finisher and retired in 1992. When she moved to Memphis, she became an active participant of the Lewis Senior Citizens Center where she was the President of the Red Hat Society, sang in the chorus, served as a greeter, and on the advisory council. Ella Ruth was proud to be the Spelling Bee Champion and the recipient of the Women of Stamina Award. Ella Ruth was an avid reader and a great cook. She was quiet in nature, but loving towards everyone she met. Ella Ruth was adored by her family who affectionally called her Wooshie! On Friday, November 23, 2018, Ella Ruth went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted daughter Gwendolyn Ruth Willis-Lofton, a beloved grandson, Bishop Kevin Willis, Sr. (Linda); three great-grandchildren: Kelli Willis, Kevin Willis, Jr. both of Memphis, TN and Stephanie Willis-Harris (Charles) of Los Angeles, CA; one great-great grandchild, Harper Nicole Willis; a dear sister, Evelyn Mayfield of Dallas, TX; a brother-in-law, Reverend Clarence Evans of Dennison, TX, two God-daughters, Matery Sharp and Connie Rutherford of Memphis, TN and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
The Celebration of Life Officiant, Pastor Tony Peterson
Processional. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Family of Ella Ruth Holmes Old Testament Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Joe Davis New Testament Scripture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reverend T. L. Stewart (Dayton, Ohio) Prayer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pastor Paul K. Reed New Friendship Baptist Church Musical Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Choir
Reflections:
Brother Noah Bond, Lewis Senior Citizens Center Sister Gloria Curne, New Life of Memphis Lady Stephanie Willis-Harris (Los Angeles, CA) Reverend Gerald Britt, Jr. (Dallas, TX) Musical Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor Cortney Richardson Words of Comfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Reginald Porter, Sr. Metropolitan Baptist Church Resolutions & Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sister Chaunna Burton Musical Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Minister Kevin Willis, Jr. Eulogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bishop Kevin Willis, Sr. Recessional. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Family of Ella Ruth Holmes
Acknowledgment
We, the family of Toy Ella Ruth Holmes wish to convey our sincere gratitude for your expressions of love and sympathy. Your prayers and acts of kindness during our time of bereavement will always be remembered. We would like to extend special thanks to Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care (Nurse Curtis Jones), Angels At My Door (Debra Sharp and Easter Milam), Robin Harris and Barbara Williams. To New Life of Memphis and Metropolitan Baptist Church, thank you for your gracious support. ~ May God bless each of you! ~
Active Pallbearers
Duke Coleman Steve Holman
Gregory Kerr Thomas Causey
Mario Cotton Jessie Foster
Honorary Pallbearers
Lyndon Britt Reverend Clarence Evans Willie Johnson, Jr. Henry Stoker
Quincy Preston Kevin Willis, Jr.
Interment
Memorial Park Southwoods 5485 Hacks Cross Road s Memphis, Tennessee 38125
Services Entrusted To R. S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home 374 Vance Avenue s Memphis, Tennessee 38126 (901) 526-3264
PROGRAM DESIGN BY PRECIOUS MEMORIES GRAPHICS, (901) 257-9124.