Mrs. Delores Holifield

Delores McClendon was born on February 8, 1928 to the union of John and Emma Nell McClendon in Forest, Mississippi. She was the seventh of eleven children. Raised on a farm with a stern and well-disciplined upbringing, her parents instilled in her substantial family values, respect, strong morals and righteous principles. Having to help with the farm work at a young age, while her brothers went to serve in the Army, she also learned the value of working hard, being responsible for her actions and the importance of being obedient, thus earning the trust of her parents. These life skills followed her all the days of her life, and she has instilled the same values in her own family. Delores accepted Christ at an early age and attended Long Pilgrim Baptist Church in Forest, Mississippi. She attended and graduated from lidwa Vocational School, where he also was a skilled basketball player. In 1948, she was united in holy matrimony to Y.C. Holifield and shortly after, they moved to Milwaukee. To this union, eleven children were born. Delores' first job in Milwaukee was waitressing at Keenis Barbecue. From there she worked at Northcott Head Start, where she went from cook to assistant teacher, to Head Teacher, to Site Supervisor. Delores retired from Northcott Head Start after more than 37 years of Service. In 1949, Delores joined Canaan Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Norton. She was a dedicated member and served faithfully as Youth Supervisor, President of the Gospel Choir, vacation bible school teacher, and head cook for many special church events. Delores was known by uch names as "Lois", "Holi"," Sunshine", but most of all "Mother" Proverbs 31:10-31 NIV "Speaks of a woman that is worth far more than Rubies and lacks nothing ofvalue. It states she works with eager hands. She gets up while it is still night, and she provides food and clothingfor her family. It says her arms are strongfor the tasks, she extends to the needy. She makes coverings for her bed. It also states she is clothed with strength and dignity; that she speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue; that she watches over the affairs of her household without any idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed. Many women do noble things, but she surpasses them all. She is God-fearing and is to be praised. 'Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate'. JJ Delores was truly a woman who showcased and possessed all of these qualities. She was a pillar of strength, not only for her immediate family, but for her brothers and sisters as well; a protector and provider. She only feared the Lord. She loved to sew and often made clothes for her kids to wear. Many were made in one night to ensure her kids were prepared for school the next day, and all her kids had homemade housecoats. Delores also knew how to quilt (a technique learned from her mother) and made many quilts to cover beds in her home. You would often hear her say, "Un ... hun, bring me my thimble and thread that needle for me."Before giving up her hobby of quilting, she blessed all her kids with a priceless quilt designed especially for each one of them. Delores' qualities did not stop there. She was an awesome cook. Her food not only looked good but tasted good as welL Delores had left Mississippi far behind but her upbringing remained intact. Food prepared for her family was fresh and came from the farms of Wisconsin. These fresh foods were also enjoyed doing the winter months, for they were picked, packaged and frozen during the summer months and enjoyed during the winter. Some favorites from her included her fried chicken, homemade mac arid cheese, peach cobbler, fried corn, her potato salad, that awesome dressing, her potato pies, her homemade chicken soup, and we can not leave off the orange Kool-Aid with lemons. She had a gift of making something wonderful out of nothing. Many might refer to them nowadays as concoctions. Delores loved playing cards with her kids, her siblings family and friends. Spades was always her specialty. She had to be the scorekeeper, and was not a fan oflosing. In s.ct, being her partner came with great expectations. It meant being on point and staying focused. Anything other than that was unacceptable. These games will forever have lasting memories oflaughter, fun and grea times. She also enjoyed playing checkers, solitaire and completing crossword puzzles. She has helped named many family members other than her kids, and she did not like nicknames. Delores joined Chatterbox Social Club in the seven . es he served as vice president and then moved to president. Chatterbox Social Club would host dances and social events. Their theme song was "One in a Million." How ironic because the title of the song truly described her-she was ONE in a million. Delores impacted many, many people. She was not only" Iorher to her kids, but the neighborhood as well. Delores was a phenomenal woman, an outspoken straight hooter, a stern disciplinarian, highly respected and loved by all. She instilled great expectations in her children as she inspired them through the poem "BE THE BEST OF WHATEVER YOU ARE". A marvelous mother, a supporting sister, a gracious grandmother, an admirable aunt, a loyal leader, a truthful and trustworthy teacher, a confidant and a friend. She honestly loved her children and her grandchildren unconditionally. The close net bond between her sisters and brothers will forever be untouchable. The heart-to-heart talks shared with her with nieces, nephews, church family, her daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, friends, and the neighborhood, will be treasured and missed. We will all remember and miss her notable phrases, "uh ... hun" and "Now what you say?". Delores has been the matriarch and the mothership of our family for a long time now. Her memory and spirit will forever be in our hearts. The Lord called her home on Saturday, August 24, 2019. After having fought a long and fierce battle with the recurrence of breast cancer, she was still of sound mind and was giving orders. She was 91 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Emma Nell McClendon; her brothers, William Edgar McClendon,John Tillis McClendon, Merritt McClendon, Graham McClendon and Lonzie McClendon; her sisters, Emma Rene McClendon, Vonnie Mae Witchard, Minnie Middleton, Katie Johnson .and Savannah Brewer; her children, Doris Jean Wheatley, Jerry Duane Holifield and Charlotte Holifield; grandchildren, Kara Holifield and Dacharette McCants; great grandchildren, Dominique and Davieon Randle. She leaves to cherish her memory: her children, Wilberr Holifield (Mary Jo) of EI Paso, Texas, Brenda Holifield of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Michael Holifield (Jadine) of Dallas, Texas; Frederick Holifield of Madison Wisconsin; Marsha Maria Baldwin, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kelvin Lamont Holifield of San Francisco; California, Steven Arnold Holifield and Teckla Yvette Cook, both of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; her sisters, Lucy Morgan and Melvina Radford, both of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 19 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Mrs. Delores Holifield

February 8, 1928 - August 24, 2019