Beverly E. Vallillee

Beverly Elizabeth Vallillee, 95, peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her children and family on December 27, 2024, in East Lansing, Michigan. Her children filled her final days at her bedside with some of her favorite things: reading poetry, singing, and reminiscing. Extended family surrounded her Christmas Eve to listen to the birth of Jesus story and sing Silent Night.

Bev was born on July 26, 1929, to Marlyn Robert and Frances Roberta (Inwood) Bailey in Battle Creek. Beverly spent her life in Battle Creek and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1946 and the University of Michigan in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and minors in Spanish and Social Studies. She became a high school teacher and taught at Otsego High School and Lakeview High School. She was a lifelong member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church where she met her husband, George Vallillee. They were married in 1956, and she often said they completed each other. In 1977, Bev and George established a successful commercial photography studio, Applied Photographics, Inc. in Battle Creek. While George’s photography was the main product of the company, Bev was the glue that held the company together. Her responsibilities included, but were not limited to, keeping the books, managing the dark room, and maintaining inventory control. George and Bev, with their dedicated assistant Alan Delach, ran the commercial studio until 2000 when they retired. George and Bev were happily married for over 64 years and made their home on Christy Road where they raised their three children and made many lifelong friends. With the establishment of another Episcopal Church in town, she became actively involved in the Church of Resurrection serving on the vestry and singing in the choir. She was also an active member of the Neighborhood Planning Council. Bev had a lifelong love of reading and enjoyed her Two Buck Book Club.

Bev was an amazing cook. Her meals were not the usual fare, but gourmet achievements that were inspired by Julia Child with a splash of wine. Her family will miss her homemade pies and applesauce at holiday meals. 

In 2017 Bev and George relocated to East Lansing to be closer to family.

Bev always put others needs first. As the eldest of five, she often cared for her younger siblings. When she started her own family, she stayed home with her children and later helped her husband realize his dream of owning his own commercial photography studio while at the same time caring for her parents. She cared for her beloved husband George for many years until his passing in 2020.

She is survived by her beloved children Gail (Phil) Deschaine of Okemos and Jane (Mike) Scott of Midland, and George Vallillee Jr. of Milwaukee, WI and her brother, Robert (Louise) Bailey. She is also survived by her much-loved grandchildren: Brandon, Justin and Kevin (Emily) Scott; Amanda and Jenelle Vallillee; and her step-grandchildren: Phil (Mattie) Deschaine and Elizabeth (Josh) Rychlinski, and many nieces, nephews, step great grandchildren, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband George, step granddaughter Marianne Deschaine, her sisters, Barbara “Tookie” Tousey and Frances “Susie” Frey, and her brother, Gilbert “Buzz” Bailey. 

Visitation and the funeral service will take place at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Friday, January 10, 2025. Visitation is from 9:30 to 10:30 AM followed by the funeral service at 11 am. A luncheon will be provided after the service. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery at 2:00 PM. The service will be live streamed from St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s Facebook and YouTube pages. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bev’s memory to St. Thomas Episcopal Church at stthomasbc.org.