Michelle Rae Bayha (Wood) 56, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away suddenly in her home on October 9th, 2018. She was born in Springfield, IL on June 20th, 1962. Even as a young girl, Shelly was always loving and caring. As a teenager she moved to Fort Collins, CO with her family where she graduated High School in 1980. After High school she obtained a cosmetology license, and later went on to teach beauty school for a short time. Her and her then husband moved to Colorado, Texas, Illinois and eventually settled down in Battle Creek, MI where she resided for many years before moving to Kalamazoo.
Shelly had a love for helping others, whether the problem be big or small. She was always there for you and would help guide you to do the right thing. She never passed judgment. She also had a passion for life; she loved to garden, read, sew, watch documentaries, and shop. Her favorite thing of all was to laugh with the people she loved the most, her friends and close family.
Shelly was preceded in death by her mother Rita Mae Wood (Hogarth), her father Gerald “Wayne” Wood, and her mother in law Nellie Margaret Harman (Williams). She is survived by her husband Glen Keys, her ex-husband Eric Bayha, her daughters Nicole Lynn Myler (James Cubitt), Emily (Jeremy) Robbins, and step daughter Aquasia Keys. She has three grandchildren who were the loves of her life, Avarie, Gavin, And Eliza, with another on the way. She is also survived by six siblings, Cindy Hopkins, Steve Wood (companion Venetia), Diana Mohr (companion Frank), Mike (Shelly) Wood, Darrin (Tonya) Wood, Curt Wood, and any nieces, nephews and friends who had become family. Shelly was very loving, loyal, and wise. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. She was a very strong woman; a survivor in many ways, and has once and for all, found peace.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday October 16th, 2018 at 11am at
Baxter Funeral Home at 375 W. Dickman Rd. Battle Creek, MI
with a luncheon to follow.
Any donations may be made in her name to the S.A.F.E Place of Battle Creek, MI
P.O. Box 199 Battle Creek, MI 49016