Shelley Ann (Coleman) Davis

Again death has invaded the rank of the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.  It has carried away a faithful and dedicated member, a beautiful mother, a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, a caring sister, an aunt, a cousin, and a loyal friend. 

Sister Shelly Ann Coleman-Davis knew without a shadow of doubt, that Christianity did not exempt one from death, but ensured triumph over death and on Tuesday, October 8, 2024,  transitioned to her heavenly home at Corewell Health Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, Michigan, to reunite with her loving parents.    

Our beloved Sister ShellyAnn Coleman-Davis, affectionately called “Momma Dukes” was born on June 24, 1951, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, at the former Mercy Hospital to her beloved parents, the late Shelly and Elizabeth (Pillows) Coleman.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Shelly and Elizabeth, her sister, Bertha Coleman-Ogburn, (2) nieces, Sherry Wilburn-Wilder and Katurra Ogburn-Carter; her nephew, Royce Ogburn, the beloved father of her two children, Johnnie Howard, and her husband, Allen Davis.

At an early age, Shelly dedicated her life to Christ as evidenced by her uniting in fellowship with the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral guidance of the late, Bishop W.E. Ellis.  The dash in Shelly’s life took her away from the physical church for a season, but she always had the church in her heart.  She later rededicated her life back to Christ and rejoined Pilgrim Rest under the spiritual leadership of the late Rev. Emery Mack Varrie I and served until her death under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Carlton A. Lynch.   

Shelly was formally educated in the Benton Harbor Area Schools and was a proud graduate of Benton Harbor High School.  She believed in education and later in life, she pursued her dream of going to college and receiving her Bachelor of Science Degree in Healthcare and eventually receiving her Master of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona.

Throughout her Christian journey on earth, Shelly served in many capacities in the church.  She served faithfully on the Usher Board and served on her post until her passing.  She was a member of several Women’s Day Committees, the Drama Ministry Department, Praise Dance Ministry, Pastor’s Aid where she served as Chairperson, the Church Anniversary Committee Secretary , the Food Pantry Ministry, and she was so honored when she was named “Woman of the Year” for her dedication and devotion to ministry.

Sister Shelly truly believed in God and that there was power, healing, blessings, and love in the Name of Jesus.  She lived life until it was no longer available to her.  She never let her health stop her from doing her work in the church and you could hear her from the back row of the church praising and thanking God for his goodness and his mercy towards her.    

Shelly was very bright and gifted and would always be available to help and tutor those who were in need academically. She worked in many capacities as an Administrative Assistant.  She worked for the Benton Harbor Area Schools, Work First, and for several years she worked through AARP just to mention a few.

Shelly was kind-hearted, witty, brutally honest at times, and if you did not want to know the truth or what she thought, then do not ask Shelly because she was going to give it to you…like it or not.  She was genuine and real, giving, comedic, loving and most of all she cherished her family and loved God. 

One of the greatest gifts she gave to this world was that of being a loving and dedicated mother to her beloved children, Dante’ and Toya, she had their backs no matter what.  She also truly loved her siblings, Diane, and Ronald Lee.  She will forever be missed by those who truly loved her and will always  hold a special place in our hearts.

Shelly will forever be remembered in the hearts of her devoted son, Dante’ Howard and his wife Marcia, her beautiful daughter, Toya Howard, both of Benton Harbor;  her sister, Diane (Dicey) Coleman-Stokes, and her baby brother, Ronald Lee Coleman also of Benton Harbor, Michigan; (5) grandchildren, Andrea Howard of Grand Rapids, Tangella (Desmond) Taylor-Durden and D’Angelo Howard both of Benton Harbor, Dante Howard II, and Da’Zhon Howard of Houston, TX; (14) great-grandchildren, Tailyn Howard , Kalaya Howard, Paisley Howard, Nariya Marshall, Adriann Marshall, Jerry Glenn, Jailah Glenn, Jaymarie Glenn, Faith Jackson, La’Vayah Jackson, Nova-Sky Howard, Desmond Durden Jr., Wynter Howard and Amir Hall; her Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

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