Obituary for
Lela Mae Averhart (Locke)
Lela Mae Averhart was born on February 26, 1931, in Decatur, Mississippi. She was the third child born to the late Alfonso and Elizabeth (Bell) Glenn. She attended St. Anne High School where she graduated in 1952. She was united in marriage to the late Mayfield N. Averhart on December 2, 1955 in Kankakee, Illinois. They were married for 49 blissful years. In 1964 she and her husband joined Washington Heights United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was a dedicated and committed member for over 40 years. Lela had a love for cooking, gardening, reading, and socializing with friends. Lela was very friendly with a kind, warm-hearted personality.
She is survived by her loving family, son, Maurice (Ulanda) Averhart; daughters, Vasanta (Wayne) Thompson, Celestine (Clyde) Hudson, and Victoria (Dale) McLaughlin; sister, Christine Gibbs; brothers, Willie (Carrie) Glenn and James C. (Ruth) Glenn; twelve grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and special friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Linda Johnson; sister, Annie Ruth Robinson; and two brothers, Quillor Glenn and Alex (Martha) Glenn.
Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5:00-8:00 PM at Bachman Hebble Funeral Service. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 12:00 PM at Second Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Washington Heights United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Bachman Hebble Funeral Service www.bachmanhebble.com (269) 965-5145.
Life Story for Lela Mae Averhart (Locke)
Lela Mae Averhart was born on February 26, 1931, in Decatur, Mississippi. She was the third child born to the late Elizabeth (Bell) Glenn and Alfonso Glenn. She attended St. Anne High School where she graduated in 1952. She was united in marriage to the late Mayfield N. Averhart on December 2, 1955 in Kankakee, Illinois. He preceded her in death August, 2004. They were married for 49 blissful years. From this union four children were born. She and her husband Mayfield lived in various cities through governmental relocations to include Kankakee, Illinois, Dayton, Ohio, Chelsea, New York, and lastly moved to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1963 where she lived the remainder of her life. After a gradual decline in health, Lela was called to eternal rest on October 17, 2015.
Lela accepted Christ at an early age joining the Catholic Church in Hopkins Park, Illinois. She attended churches throughout her local communities while relocating with her husband. In 1964 she and her husband joined Washington Heights United Methodist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was a dedicated and committed member for over 40 years. During her membership at Washington Heights United Methodist Church she was actively involved in numerous church activities including assisting with fundraising events and serving in many capacities on committees such as Pastor Parish Committee, Worship Committee Member, Administrative Board Member, Choir Member and Delegate to West Michigan Conference. She volunteered her services right up to her illness. Lela was an avid church participant enduring her faith and love of God in her everyday life.
Lela was well known and respected in her community. In 1967, she modeled clothing on Battle Creek Channel 3 WKZO. She supported community initiatives by attending events, public meetings, sponsored by community organizations and sororities. She was proud of her city and especially her neighborhood and the Battle Creek Public School System. She enjoyed attending high school basketball games and band follies.
Lela’s passions were church and family. During the transfers with her husband she was employed by several different places starting in Kankakee and Manteno State Hospitals in Illinois from 1952-1955; Beacon Blanket Company in Beacon, New York 1959; Scotch Tape in Beacon, New York 1961; IBM Poughkeepsie, New York 1962; Eaton Corporation, Battle Creek, Michigan 1976-77. During and after short employments she was a devoted homemaker as Mother and Grandmother. She enjoyed spending time with her family and church family alike. She would spread her love of motherhood throughout home, church, and neighborhoods. Lela had a love for cooking, gardening, reading, socializing with friends. Lela was very friendly with a kind, warm-hearted personality. She will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her loving family: Son, Maurice (Ulanda) Averhart; Daughters, Vasanta (Wayne) Thompson; Celestine (Clyde) Hudson; Victoria (Dale) McLaughlin; Sister, Christine Gibbs; Brothers, Willie (Carrie) Glenn; James C. (Ruth) Glenn. She also leaves to cherish twelve grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members, and special friends. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by daughter, Linda Johnson; sister, Annie Ruth Robinson; two brothers, Quillor Glenn and Alex (Martha) Glenn.