Obituary of Ora Baptiste (Holloway)

November 13, 1962 – Morley, Alberta

June 27, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister, grandma, auntie, cousin, niece, and friend. Ora Baptiste, was called home by our Creator on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the age of 60 years.

Ora was a strong believer in our traditional culture, she grew up practicing our traditional ways. Later on in life she joined the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which she believed in heavily.

Ora enjoyed crafting, beading, and loved preparing traditional foods for anyone who asked. Some of her favourites to prepare were dry-meat and Bannock. In her younger years she travelled to Montreal to receive her cooking certificate, she also enjoyed volleyball and baseball. Many said Ora was a “wicked” pitcher. Ora was a knowledge keeper in family relations.

Ora worked at the Nakoda Elementary School for 10 years. While working at the school she grew to appreciate and cherish her students and treat them like her very own.

Ora worked many jobs within the community. Most of these jobs included working in education, but she most adored teaching children. She loved working with them, and it brought her so much joy.

Ora is survived by her father Horace Holloway Jr; her sisters, Jeanetlin, Caroline, Lowerania (Clint) Maxine and Cecilia; her adopted sister Jody Wiggins; brothers, Glen, and Perry (Leanne); adopted brothers, Keith Cecil, and Conrad Lefthand; her adopted children, Felicia Holloway, Tisah Rollinmud, Deanna (Maverick) Goodstoney, Hope (Dale) Beaver, and Kathy Salter; special grandchildren Melika Holloway, Theinen Holloway and Silas Holloway; adopted father Harrum Smalleyes (Samantha); Aunties, Ruby Clara Snow, Sheila Labelle, Robin Snow, Linda (Marty) Ear, Maxine Ear, Gina Labelle, Gloria Rider, Antoinette Smalleyes, Mary Fox and Barbara Hunter; uncles Johnny Ear and Reggie (Jenny) Smalleyes; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is also survived by the extended families of Labelle, Wesley, Mark, Snow, Ear, Bearspaw, Daniels, Poucette, Goodstoney, Baptiste, Salter, Smalleyes, Rabbit, Hunter, Rollinmud, Stevens and Rider.

We apologize if we have missed anyone.

Ora was predeceased by her husband Marcel Baptiste; her mother Arline Holloway; brothers, Tony, Ben and Terry Holloway, Leo Goodstoney Sr.; adopted brother Amos Axe; her sister Marlene Goodstoney; adopted children, Toni (Yaya) Holloway, Nathan Chief Calf-Wildman; her paternal grandparents, Horace Sr, and Christine Holloway; maternal grandparents Johnny and Christine LaBelle; sister-in-law Brenda Goodstoney; and grandparents Yvonne and David Poucette.

The family would like to thank the Foothills ICU Unit A team for trying and helping Ora to the best of their abilities. Îsnîyes

Wake Services will be held at the residence of the late Ora Baptiste (Morley, AB) on July 2, 2023.  Funeral Services will be held at Morley Gymnasium (Morley, AB) on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.  Graveside Service to follow at Old Bearspaw Cemetery (Morley, AB).  Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Ora Baptiste, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.