Mrs. Belita Ann Farr

Belita Ann Calvin was bom on September 26, 1954, in Chicago Cook County Hospital to Charlie Mae and Edward "Eddie" Calvin. Belita was the fourth of five children (Lamont, Donald, Anthony, Belita, and Darryl) and the only girl in the family.

Bell, as she was lovingly nicknamed, was raised in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's Southside. Belita accepted Christ as
her lord and savior early in life. Although she, reveled in her independence, she knew that true strength carne from the community. As a young Southsider, the family grew close to their next-door neighbors, the Smiths.

Mrs. Mary Smith and Charlie Mae Calvin were more like sisters than neighbors. Through this bond, Vera Smith and Belita Farr became connected at the hips. It was this friendship that grew into a chosen family. From this chosen family, Belita helped raise Mary Frazier, who in tum, helped raise Larone Ellison, James Farr Jr., and Darryi Barnett. This is the chosen family that lives on through, Zymica, Phyllis, Kiara, and Pashen Frazier. She would travel from Evanston to Englewood to ensure her friends knew she never forgot them.

After graduating from Englewood High School, she knew the importance of making a way in life. At 19, she held her first job as a
Chicago Public School Lunch Room Manager. The title of Manager was something she would never relinquish for the rest of her
life, After the lunchroom manager position, Belita became an entrepreneur and started her own hair-styling business. This proved
fruitful, but with an eye to the future, Belita chose to enter the field of banking and finance.

In 1970s Chicago, many people thought the banking world would not accept a black woman into their mix. Luckily, Belita never lost a second of sleep worrying about another person's opinion of her (I need you all to read between the lines on that one). In 2012, Belita would retire as Vice President of BMO Harris Bank's Glencoe Branch.

As Belita expanded her knowledge in banking, she never lost touch with the importance of paying it forward. She was known as the
driven and communicative leader who sought to build up other black women within banking. She would want any woman in business to know that you never soften your stance for anyone, especially a man. Period. In the 1970s Belita met Larone Ellison and the two were married.

In 1981, they welcomed a child; Larone Ellison III, into this world. The Ellison family has always loved and appreciated Belita as evidenced by the close relationship they maintained throughout her life. Darryl Barnett, Belita's nephew, would also, grow under the shade of her love. This Union was but a moment in time because Belita was destined to meet the man who would stand beside her for the rest of her life James Farr.                 

BeIita and James Farr met in the early 80s and were inseparable. The two would challenge each other to achieve beyond their
dreams, and they were married on July 16, 1988. at True Believers Christian Academy Church. This marriage would blend two families, welcoming Sonya, Kara, and Janet Farr. The Farr were were always family to Belita. Her Sister-in -Law, Mavis Blackburn as well as her
Mother-In-Law Mattie Lee Person would be some of her most cherished family members.

On November 2, 1992, James Anthony FaIT would be another addition to the growing tribe. He would go on to be the best of both fam-
ilies and continue the tradition of proving doubters wrong without even knowing they exist If her children and nephew were her heart,
Brielle Riva Ellison was her soul. Brielle would be Belitas granddaughter and apprentice for learning how to navigate this world with
her head held high. Though she had many titles, Grandma was her absolute favorite.

In the early 90s, Belita and James Farr would settle in Evanston. Illinois, and continue to teach their children the value of education.
love, and respect. Belita and James would join the First Church of God Christian Life Church and find their actual house of worship. It
was through the guidan e of Pastor Monte J. Dillard, that God's work was in eve y choice she made in life, It was in the 2010s that she and her cousin Ruth Singleton would form a closer bond that has weathered many storms. No matter what, Ruthie and BeIita always
showed up for each other in tough times because you always have your sisters' back.

James and Belita traveled the world and have the magnets and pictures to prove it. James would ften marvel at his wife' s ability to 
handle any situation put in front of them. He was a man ahead of his time in the sense that he knew to never dim her light so she could
shine as bright as ever, These travels often included trips to  Arkansas, to visit cousins on both sides of the family. No visit to Mississippi was complete without a few moments of gossip with Gloria Jean Johnson and endless bouts of laughter with Eva Nell Hill.
Belita was called hom on October 9, 2022. She never lived a day that was not meant to be lived, She leaves her memories with all of
us and she would ask only that you remember to help fix the the crownof the woman in your life. There is never enough time or space to
mention everyone fortunate to meet Belita Ann Farr. Regardless of who she was in your life; Wife, Mother, Sister, Cousin, Friend. she
was always the same Bell you knew from way before. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Rest in Power, Bell. We love 'ou and will never forget you,

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette~Funeral Director

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