J.L. Holliday

Blue Mountain, Mississippi--- Mr. J.L. Holliday 91, passed away on May 3, 2017 at the MS State Veterans Home in Oxford Mississippi. He was born to Robert and Zula Montgomery Holliday on June 25, 1925 in the Mitchell Community of Tippah County. J.L. was one of 13 Children (one girl, 12 boys) and there were many stories about growing up in a large family on a working farm. He attended Mitchell School in the 1930's and did have to walk over a mile to school barefoot in the summer. In the winter, boots and shoes were shared. He was one of the youngest of the family. The stories he and his brothers told were heartwarming and of mischievous acts and being frequently in trouble. He entered the US Army in December 1943, and served in the European and Pacific Theaters. While he was in service, there were 8 Holliday brothers actively serving during WWII across the world. He was discharged in September 1946. He married Martha Evelyn Smith Holliday on September 11, 1947. He received his first Bible in 1948, after he married. They attended Dumas Baptist Church as a young married couple. They were married for 59 years. She preceded him in death on January 8, 2006. He remained devoted to her memory throughout the remainder of his life. He was a man of God with a strong religious faith. He served as a Deacon at Oakhaven Baptist Church in Memphis, TN and Springdale Baptist Church in Ripley, MS. Throughout his life, he was physically active and enjoyed the outdoors. He was a hunter, always had dogs and many friends. He had a garden up until recently and was always anxious to give his produce to others. He loved cooking and eating and ensuring that everyone who visited him had plenty to eat. He was a good father and a wonderful grandfather to his three grandsons. They all have "Paw Paw" memories that we continue to cherish and enjoy. J.L. worked at Tippah Electric and made many friends among co-workers and customers. After retiring from Tippah Electric, he worked for 17 years with his son-in-law, Shan, and grandson, Clint, at Professional Land Services. He spent his time with them trudging across rough land, slogging through low water covered with weeds and ticks. He loved this kind of work. Often the most important part of the day would be when they broke for lunch and ate food he wouldn't likely be able to get at home such as rag bologna, vienna sausages and bags of potato chips. He is survived by his two daughters; Becky Waldon (Phil) of Blue Mountain, MS and Jan Tidwell (Shan) of Ripley, MS. three grandsons; Clint Tidwell (Angie), John Tidwell (Crystalyn) and Jay Waldon (Nikki); five great-grandchildren; Jacob, Ellis, Ty, Max, Nola. Pallbearers will be Patrick Shelton, Robbie Rowland, Ricky Wilkerson, Don Montgomery, Ed Holliday, Steve Holliday, Jason Harrison. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons and great-grandsons. The family requests memorial donations can be made to; J.L. and Martha Holliday Scholarship at Springdale Baptist Church, 581 E. Walnut Street, Ripley, MS 38663. or to Wier's Chapel Cemetery Fund, 306 N. Main Street, Ripley, MS 38663. To send flowers to the family of J.L. Holliday, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

J.L. Holliday

June 27, 1925 - May 3, 2017