Obituary for Etta Mayfield
Etta Jo Mayfield, 83, passed away on October 12, 2022 at Battle Creek Bronson Hospital after a battle with cancer. She was born on April 21, 1939 in Lexington, Kentucky to Sarah (Bowman) and Joseph Lee.
Etta grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School. She attended college at Grand Rapids Junior College and graduated from there in 1959.
Etta was united in marriage to Jerry Arthur Mayfield on August 21, 1959. At the time, Jerry was a member of the United States Air Force and while enlisted Etta and Jerry went on to travel to and live in many US states as well as several different countries. They raised three daughters during their young lives together, and Etta thoroughly loved her time as a military wife and mother. She especially enjoyed the opportunity to expose her young girls to the many different cultures and people of the world. The family moved to Battle Creek in 1975 when Jerry was transferred to Fort Custer Air National Guard base.
Etta started her professional working career first at the Battle Creek Community Action Agency and then at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) at the Battle Creek Federal Center. While employed for DLA, she returned to college at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo and earned her BA in 1986. She worked at the Battle Creek Federal Center until she retired in 2000.
From an early age, faith was a central part of Etta's life. Etta was a member of New Deliverance Missionary Baptist Church in Battle Creek and was active on various committees of the church and felt called to be responsible for setting up the communion table for the church services.
Etta was preceded in death by her parents; her 6 siblings James Gooch, Rena Gooch, Albert (Ann) Gooch, William (Dottie) Hopewell, Edward (Sue) Hopewell, and Robert (Cesther) Hopewell.
Etta is survived by her husband, Jerry; daughters Jacqueline (Robert) Mars of Douglasville, GA, Audrey (Tim) Reust of Wadswoth, IL, and Tracey (Sam) Wesonga of Wake Forest, NC; nephews and nieces Earl Hopewell, Artis Hopewell, Bobby Jo Hopewell, Karen (Steven) Pruitt; grandchildren Joanna (Kendrick) Mars-Hill, Robert Mars, Jr. , Erika (Adam) Wesonga-Culbreth, Jeremy Wesonga; and numerous great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 9 AM. The funeral service will follow the visitation same day at 10 AM. Interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to: Humane Society of South Central Michigan or Haven of Rest Ministries in Battle Creek.
Etta grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated from Grand Rapids Central High School. She attended college at Grand Rapids Junior College and graduated from there in 1959.
Etta was united in marriage to Jerry Arthur Mayfield on August 21, 1959. At the time, Jerry was a member of the United States Air Force and while enlisted Etta and Jerry went on to travel to and live in many US states as well as several different countries. They raised three daughters during their young lives together, and Etta thoroughly loved her time as a military wife and mother. She especially enjoyed the opportunity to expose her young girls to the many different cultures and people of the world. The family moved to Battle Creek in 1975 when Jerry was transferred to Fort Custer Air National Guard base.
Etta started her professional working career first at the Battle Creek Community Action Agency and then at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) at the Battle Creek Federal Center. While employed for DLA, she returned to college at Nazareth College in Kalamazoo and earned her BA in 1986. She worked at the Battle Creek Federal Center until she retired in 2000.
From an early age, faith was a central part of Etta's life. Etta was a member of New Deliverance Missionary Baptist Church in Battle Creek and was active on various committees of the church and felt called to be responsible for setting up the communion table for the church services.
Etta was preceded in death by her parents; her 6 siblings James Gooch, Rena Gooch, Albert (Ann) Gooch, William (Dottie) Hopewell, Edward (Sue) Hopewell, and Robert (Cesther) Hopewell.
Etta is survived by her husband, Jerry; daughters Jacqueline (Robert) Mars of Douglasville, GA, Audrey (Tim) Reust of Wadswoth, IL, and Tracey (Sam) Wesonga of Wake Forest, NC; nephews and nieces Earl Hopewell, Artis Hopewell, Bobby Jo Hopewell, Karen (Steven) Pruitt; grandchildren Joanna (Kendrick) Mars-Hill, Robert Mars, Jr. , Erika (Adam) Wesonga-Culbreth, Jeremy Wesonga; and numerous great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Baxter Funeral & Cremation Service on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 9 AM. The funeral service will follow the visitation same day at 10 AM. Interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to: Humane Society of South Central Michigan or Haven of Rest Ministries in Battle Creek.