On March 13, 2025, while in hospice care, at her home, with her eldest daughter at her side, my beloved mother, I-Sha "Emma" Campbell-Holman, was called home to be with the LORD.  Emma lived a life rooted in faith, devoted to Christ, and guided by the teachings of the Holy Bible.

I-Sha, also known by her birth name of Emma, was born into this world, April 13, 1947, in Blytheville, Arkansas, to the late Mr. Clyde Campbell and the late Mrs. Pecola Campbell (Harris), who years later met and married Mr. JB Myers (the parents of Emma’s brother, Leonard J. Myers). Two years after her birth, the Campbells moved to Joliet, Illinois and then immediately to Lockport, Illinois. I-Sha graduated from Lockport Central High School and attended Marycrest Business School. Upon completion, she entered the workforce as an employee of the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant for a few short years. After that departure, she was employed as a data entry operator with Western Electric for ten (10) years. In the early 1980’s, she gave notice and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where she began her career as the Store Manager of Church’s Chicken and was quickly promoted to District Manager.  Several years later, she returned to Lockport.  In 1988, after her youngest daughter’s life was brutally taken, I-Sha assumed the responsibility of raising her grandchildren.  On June 19, 1993, she wed Mr. Louis “Bob” C. Holman and together, they continued to raise her daughter’s children.

I-Sha gave her life to Christ as a young child, under the leadership of the late Pastor Odella Stevenson of the Universal Church of GOD in Lockport, IL.   As she grew older, she became a member of Refuge Mission Universal Church of GOD in Joliet, IL, under the leadership of the late Pastor and Founder Ethel Chandler and then her successor, the late Elder Mae Jewel Ellis. In 1994, I-Sha, Bob and the grandchildren all moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia.  Once there, I-Sha and Bob increased and strengthened their relationship in Jesus Christ while lovingly guiding their grandchildren in the ways of GOD’s Word and love, under the leadership of Pastor Donald Abernathy of New Life Assembly, Snellville, Georgia.  I-Sha has always lived in this manner:  GOD first, family second and herself third.  She truly and greatly loved everyone and anyone she met.

I-Sha Holman was a woman of unwavering belief, whose love for the Lord shone through every aspect of her life.  I-Sha definitely found joy in prayer, strength in scripture and peace in the promises of eternal life.  I-Sha shared her faith through kindness, compassion and an unyielding trust in God’s plan.   As a mother, she raised her children and grandchildren in the ways of the LORD, teaching them to love, to serve and to trust in Him always.  I-Sha found comfort in verses such as **2 Timothy 4:7**—_"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."_ I-Sha now rests in the arms of her Savior, free from pain and sorrow, rejoicing in the presence of the Almighty. 

I-Sha is preceded in death by her father:  Clyde Campbell; youngest daughter, Yolanda; mother:  Pecola Myers; brother: Leonard Myers and husband:  Louis Holman.

 I-Sha leaves to cherish her memory:  Beverly (eldest daughter), who will carry on her legacy of faith and love; adopted daughters and son-in-law in love and Christ: Sonya Ivy-Gwin, Carla McCray, Randi and Vernon McDaniel; godson: DeAndre Belin; grandchildren: I-Sha, Jr. “Nikki,” Renisha, Yakir, Derrick, Jr., Willow and Rudy; great-grandchildren:  Angel, Aaron, Ayana, Nicholas, Lorenzo, Jr., Asia and Marieon. She also leaves behind a very special and beloved cousin, Pastor Emeritus Leatha Smith and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, niece: Shaun “Shaunie-Poo,” nephew: Xavier “Zay-Zay", and many dear friends, including Mrs. Edna Spinks-Williams, Sister & First Lady, Hattie Denson, Sis. Diane Sain, Ms. Iolia, Sis. Zaneta Watts and Mrs. Liz Belin Shannon.  

While we grieve her passing, we find solace in the hope of Christ’s resurrection and the assurance that we will one day be reunited in God’s eternal kingdom.
>1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and I'm definitely assured she heard Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." – **Matthew 25:23**

Memorial Service was held at Village Bible Church - Aurora and was officiated by Pastor David Wood.  

Cremation was handled by Fox River Cremation Society in Batavia. 

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