Deloris J. Council

In all she did, Deloris Council put forth great love and dedication to her family. Her heart extended to others as well, and she was no stranger to hard work. Deloris raised her family with a firm grip, and back talk was never tolerated in her home. With great respect, they never questioned her unconditional love and unending devotion. She will be deeply missed and remembered. At a time when the American dream was alive and well, the 1920s brought good fortune as the Roaring Twenties ushered in a time of gaiety throughout the nation. Charlie Chaplin was starring on the big screen, and Babe Ruth baseball was all the rage. Henry Fords automobile plant was thriving, and the U.S. was booming. Nestled on the northwest corner in the quiet town of Obion, Tennessee, John A. C. and Mamie (Armstrong) Thomas was celebrating a time of joy when they welcomed the birth of a baby girl they lovingly named Deloris on February 27, 1924. Young Deloris was not the first born in her family. She would have had older siblings, but they sadly died as infants. Deloris was later welcomed with a younger brother, Lexie Dee. Farming was the primary source of income for most families in Obion and Deloris family was no exception. Her father farmed the land while her mother looked after Deloris and her brother as a homemaker. For the most part, Deloris enjoyed a typical childhood growing up and had her share of chores around the house and farm. She attended the local school where she focused on her studies and made many friends. As the Great Depression set in, times became especially difficult. It had significant, negative effects on nearly every Tennessean, as well as the entire nation. Like many young people during these days, Deloris schooling came to an end in the eighth grade to help with family needs. However, one friend Deloris met would come to have a lasting impact on her. Willie B and Deloris became quite smitten, and before long they found themselves in love. At the age of 17, Deloris married Willie B on April 12, 1941 in nearby Union City, Tennessee. Willie B provided for his new bride as a sharecropper, and in 1942 they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Betty Jane. Two years later in 1944, Wilma Lee came along. A difficult separation occurred for Deloris at this time when Willie B entered the U.S. Army during World War II. Deloris and her two young daughters lived with her in-laws as he was fighting Japanese forces. Forever grateful for his safe return, Deloris and Willie B were happily reunited at the wars end. Taking on work as an auto mechanic in Union City after the service, Willie B and Deloris continued with their lives together. In 1952 they celebrated the birth of their son Verlie Ray, and the following year more changes were in store for Deloris and her family when a job move found them packing up to the northern lakeshore city of Muskegon, Michigan. Making Muskegon their new home, Willie Bs steady and secure work at Teledyne Continental Motors offered dramatic changes in their lives, for the better. They rented a home on Palmer Street, and in 1957 they welcomed the birth of Vergie Nell who completed their family. Deloris began working full time as a maid at the Occidental Hotel while Willie B worked at Teledyne, and later for the Sealed Power Corporation. With a heart for their roots and farming in their blood, they went on to purchase a home in 1964 in Laketon Township where they raised their family. In 1965 Deloris left her job at the hotel and became a full-time homemaker. She loved being at home with her children and raised them with a firm hand. She often used the their middle names when hollering at them, and they always knew she meant business. Deloris never tolerated back talk or disrespect from any of them, and they each are better people for it. Deloris found plenty to keep her occupied at home on their two and a half acre property. She loved tending to her large garden, and looked after their chickens, horse and rabbits. Many wonderful memories were shared in their home over the years and are treasured to this day. Deloris never acquired a drivers license, but much of her free time was spent content at home quilting and canning. She made excellent jellies and was a wonderful cook. She could whip up some of the best meals and made huge family dinners for her family to enjoy. Her quilts were a beautiful labor of love and she made many for the Muskegon Rescue Mission. Every Sunday night Deloris enjoyed making homemade pizza and looked forward to watching her favorite TV show, Bonanza. Gunsmoke was on Saturday nights. Many times throughout the years they traveled south to visit family. It was hard on Deloris when her father died in 1969, so trips south to see her mother were very important to her. When Willie B retired in 1984, it afforded them the opportunity to do so more often. Having become a young grandmother in 1957 at the age of 33, Deloris was like a second mother to her grandson Douglas. She was close to each of her grandchildren and loved them beyond compare. In 1980 Deloriss son mentioned he noticed a Council name in the phone book, and on a whim, she picked up the phone and called. The family of Leroy and Carolyn Council became wonderful friends. Carolyn and Deloris spent many days checking out new restaurants and shopping. The two families still remain close to this day. The death of Deloris mother in 1985 was especially difficult on her. She continued to pour herself into her family, and found much enjoyment working in her beautiful flower gardens. She loved feeding the birds and took special joy in Orioles and Cardinals. When Willie B came down with cancer in 1994, Deloris was by his side caring for him. He died in March of 1996 at the age of 73, and life for Deloris was never the same. In 1996 Deloris had a mild stroke, and in 2004 her health began to rapidly decline as she suffered greatly with arthritis. Sadly, Deloris died at the age of 86 on Saturday, March 6, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. Although her giving heart stopped beating, and her hard working hands were put to rest, Deloris will be dearly missed and fondly remembered in the hearts of those she leaves behind. She is survived by her son, Verlie (Deborah) Council of Twin Lake; three daughters, Vergie Council of Muskegon, Betty (Albert) Ridgell of Camden, TN and Wilma Hudson of Holladay, TN; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; six great great-grandchildren; special family friends, Leroy (Carolyn) Council and family of Muskegon; five sisters-in-law, Lillian Council, Ida Ann Jackson, Camilla Council and Gladys McClure, all of TN and Sandra Holmes of FL; several nieces, nephews and friends. Besides her parents and husband, Deloris was preceded in death by two grandsons, Larry and Donald Lynn Hardin; a brother, Lexie Dee Thomas and son-in-law, James Hudson. SERVICE: Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel with Rev. Mark Zimmerman officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. VISITATION: Tuesday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a favorite memory or photo of Deloris or to sign her online guest book.