Flora M. Wines

Flora May (McLain) Wines, 86, of Battle Creek, went to be with our Lord on January 21, 2016. She was born to Leonard and Maybelle (Nearpass) McLain on September 26, 1929 in Coldwater, MI.

Flora met the one and only love of her life, Rufus Phillip Wines at the Marshall Fair. They eloped and were married on August 18, 1950 in Indiana and spent the better part of 65 years together. The couple had three daughters.

Flora loved her family more than anything on earth and her favorite thing to do was spend time with her children and grandchildren. They could do no wrong in her eyes. Flora was a kind, loving, giving, beautiful woman who always put the needs of others above her own. She opened her heart and home to several people as her children were growing up. She made sure they had food in their stomach and a warm place to sleep. She took care of young soldiers going into the Vietnam War, and walked door to door collecting for childhood cancer.

Flora had been bravely fighting cancer for nearly six years. She attended Western Michigan University, studying journalism and was a radio announcer there. She placed in a beauty pageant and sang at the Hi-Low Club in Battle Creek.

She is survived by her loving husband, Rufus; daughters Gloria (Jimmy) Szakacs, Mary Stamper and Julie (Robert) Wells; grandchildren, Richard (Becky) Carver, Heather (Troy) Dietz, Buddy Davis, Aleia (Herb) Wines, Elizabeth Stamper, Cody and Cheyanne Wells, Melissa Campbell, and Josh Black; great-grandchildren Casey (Christina) and Kylie Carver, Daniel and Kayla Ibarra, Tiffany, Breanna and Angel Rue, Brayden and Isabelle Biggins, Jay Jay and Sofia Wines, Skilar, Harlee and DeeAna Black, Robert III and Christopher Wells, Nom'Aria and Christopher Barajas II and one great-great grandson, Damien Carver.

Flora was cherished by all who knew her. We knew her wings were ready but we didn't want to let her go. You will never be forgotten as you are forever engraved in our hearts. We'll love and miss you always.

Family will greet friends on Friday, January 29, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. noon at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Dan L. Martineau at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2016 at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Flora's family. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.