Frances I. Valentine

Frances I. Valentine Battle Creek Frances Isabell (Watkins) Valentine, 99, of Battle Creek, MI, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving daughter and family on Monday, February 1, 2010 at Battle Creek Health System. She was born on March 10, 1910 in Battle Creek, to Royal T. Watkins and Sarah M. (Chandler) Watkins. Both her mother and father were born in Michigan. Frances had four brothers and two sisters, all of whom have predeceased her. She was a 1928 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. She also attended classes at KCC and the University of Maryland. Frances married Clark M. Valentine on her birthday in 1934. He preceded her in death in 1988. She is also preceded in death by her son: Clark M. Valentine, Jr. of Henderson, NV. She is survived by her daughter, Doris Valentine Kemp of Battle Creek, MI.; granddaughters Valerie Kemp and Shari Valentine-Wilson; great granddaughter Alexandra Wilson, Detroit, MI; and daughter-in-law Linda Valentine. Frances also leaves several nieces and nephews. She was also pre-deceased by a special niece: Frances McLiechey, who had been of tremendous assistance to her. She told everyone that son, daughter, and niece were priceless in their efforts to see that she was comfortable. Frances and her son spent seven years stationed in Europe with her husband who was a captain in the US Army. They lived in Italy and Germany and traveled extensively, both during and after retirement from military life. Upon their return to the US, they brought with them a daughter - a little girl who they adopted from an orphanage in Germany. She was employed in various capacities both at home and abroad. She retired from the Battle Creek Federal Center as secretary to the Director of Field Operations of the Office of Civil Defense. She was a member of Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church. Also, a life member of the American Legion, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, several bridge clubs, Literary Social Club, the Study Culture Club, the Sojourner Truth Memorial Association, among others, and a former board member of the Kimball House Museum and Burnham Brook Center. She was a good friend of Bernice Lowe, well- known local historian, who asked her to represent Battle Creek and accept the award at the induction ceremonies of Sojourner Truth into the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY, in 1981. She was very proud of having attended the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize Award to Dr. Ralph Bunche in Oslo, Norway in 1950. She was also an Honorary Life Member of the Alumni Association at Western Michigan University. Frances and her family traveled extensively, including more than 25 cruises all over the world, the last one to Tahiti; several trips to the Hawaiian Islands; Europe; Alaska; northern Africa; and annually to Las Vegas. Visitation will be held at Bachman Hebble Funeral Service on Thursday from 5 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services commemorating the life of Frances Valentine will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the Bachman Funeral Chapel with Rev. Michael A. Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Fort Custer National Cemetery beside her husband Capt. Clark M. Valentine. Memorial tributes may be made to Charity of one's choice. Arrangements by the Bachman Hebble Funeral Service, a member by invitation Selected Independent Funeral Homes. (269)965-5145 www.bachmanhebble.com