Wayne Hollis

Wayne's story began on January 14, 1944, in Muddy Ridge, Mississippi. He departed this life on the afternoon of Sunday, November 16, in Ripley, Mississippi. Wayne grew up around Walnut, Mississippi. He enjoyed cars and sports, especially basketball. In high school, he was voted “Most Athletic.” He spoke fondly of living in Flint, Michigan, where he would pick fruit with his family during the summers, and of his early years in Arkansas, when his dad was in the army, and the family moved with him. After graduation, he joined the maintenance department at Dean Foods. He served the company for 44 years, retiring in January 2006 from his role as the Plant Manager of the dairy. He married Betty Carolyn Smith on June 4, 1965, having met her through his brother, David. He told her daughter, Alisa, she could call him whatever she wanted. She called him Wayne, but he was definitely Dad. Wayne was not a member of a church; however, he once told Alisa he really liked the nondenominational church she attended in Collierville. He liked the way people came as they were comfortable; he said, “That's the way it should be.” He took communion with her there with the Pastor's assurance that all believers were welcome. Wayne was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Betty; by his parents, Emmitt and Hazel (Cooper) Hollis; his brother David Hollis; sister Emma Jane Crowell; sister-in-law Freddie Barker, and nephews: Paul Brock, Randy Luna, and Eddie Watson. Survivors include his daughter, Alisa, and her husband, Carlos Gil of Memphis, TN; granddaughter Hayley and her husband John Carroll of Memphis, TN; grandson Chase Gil and his wife Jordan of Naples, FL, and seven great-grandchildren: CeCe Gil, Porter Gil, Rowan Isaac, Jones Carroll, Abigail Carroll, Charis Carroll, and JAC Carroll. He is also survived by his brother, John "Roy" Hollis, and his wife, Faye, of Corinth, MS. His sister-in-love Brenda and husband Dur Chamberlin of Hernando, MS. Brother-in-love Randy Smith and his wife Martha of Ripley, MS. His girlfriend and companion, Sue Parish, a dear band of brothers at Pine Grove, and many friends and family. While Wayne was the worst at picking up a phone to check in, he loved hearing from each and every one of you. You were loved. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St.Jude Children's Research Hospital at stjude.org.

Wayne Hollis

January 14, 1944 - November 16, 2025