OCALA, Fla. — Josephine E. Holley, age 78, of S. Wright St., Kingsville, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, at Munroe Regional Hospital in Ocala, Fla.
Born Feb. 22, 1934, in Andover, Ohio, she was the daughter of Paul and Evaline (Weir) Fairchild, and had been a lifelong area resident. Josephine graduated from Dorset Schools in 1952, and married the love of her life, Kellis Holley, on May, 6, 1955.
Josephine was a member of First Baptist Church in Kingsville, where she served on the kitchen committee and was director of VBS for many years. In her earlier years, she worked for Eastern Telephone Company in Jefferson, before she decided to start a family and become a full time homemaker raising five wonderful children. Jo was a mother that spent all the time she could with her children often being a part of all of their activities, and helping them achieve all of their goals.
Jo served for many years as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, serving as cookie chairman for Lake to River Girl Scouts. She was very active in 4-H groups focusing on the sewing, cooking and rocket building activities. A crafty woman who enjoyed many art crafts like painting, sewing, crocheting, knitting and needlepoint, she has made many wonderful pieces over the years that the family is left to cherish. In her earlier years, she was an avid bowler, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, playing cards and scrabble.
Josephine also enjoyed cooking, no one left her house hungry, her husband always wanted to go to “Josephine’s Kitchen.” She was also a member of the North Kingsville American Legion Auxiliary Post #743, was an active member of T.O.P.S. for many years, and also served and helped with the meals and other activities with the Kingsville Fire Auxiliary.
Mrs. Holley is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Kellis Holley; her mother, Evaline Fairchild; children, Susan (Bob) Cline of Kingsville, Sandra (Bill) Kerutis of North Kingsville, Joyce (David) Holt of Lockport, N.Y., Kevin (Pam) Holley of Matthews, N.C., and Joseph (Laura) Holley of Denver, Colo.; sisters, Pauline (Linton) Strickland of Rome, Ga., Doris (Larry) Meckley of Jefferson and Margaret Ketchem of Ashtabula; brother, Lawrence Fairchild of Ashtabula; grandchildren, Emily, Jeff, Holly, Mark, Joy “Evie”, Jessica, James, Joshua, Nicholas, Abigail, Clarissa, Lydia and Sean; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Robert, Kaitlyn, John, Ben, Carter and Jillian; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Fairchild.
Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 25th, at First Baptist Church, 6003 Lake St., Kingsville, with the Rev. David Hines officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memory Gardens.
Calling Hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 24th, and also from 10 a.m. until time of Service, Friday, at the Church.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First Baptist Church of Kingsville.
DUCRO FUNERAL SERVICES AND CREMATORY, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula is handling arrangements. Obituary at www.ducro.com and starbeacon.com.
