Eva Mae Belle's Obituary
Eva Mae Lilley Holmes-Belle was born in Chidester, AR. The oldest of Zelis Lilley and Mannie Curtis Lilley. Eva accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Magnolia, AR. She was an active youth and young adult at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Upon Eva moving to California, she united with St. Stephen C.M.E. Church in Fairfield, CA., serving as Missionary Society President for many years. Once Eva moved to Dallas, TX in February 2005, she and her beloved Sidney united with the Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where they were faithful members until their health failed.
Eva received her formal education at Columbia High School in Magnolia, AR. After graduation, she attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, AR (formerly AM&N College).
Eva united in holy matrimony to Archie Holmes for twenty (20+) years. Eva & Archie resided in Rochester, MN for many years and to this union one daughter, Anita Jane Holmes, was born. Anita preceded Eva in death at an early age. Eva became reacquainted with her former high school friend, Sidney Belle, whom she had not seen since 1946. In 2004, Eva was united once again in holy matrimony to Sidney Norman Belle until his death in 2018.
Eva was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Louise Rusher and Vera Holmes, and husband, Sidney Belle.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her granddaughter, Joy Louise Holmes; great-grandchildren, Juatoy Anita Louise Holmes, Ashante Jewanne’ Holmes and Kyara Jada Holmes; brother, Milton Lilley; other relatives, Johnnie Bynum (Elmira), Charles Anderson, nephew, Kenneth Rusher, sister-in-law, Doris Bell; special friend, Mary Varner; a host of nieces, nephews, family of faith and friends; goddaughters, Kesha McLeod (Tom), Alexa, Kira and Krista; and an extended family member, Cathy Taylor.
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