Laura Hollis Holleman

April 8, 1960- April 24, 2026

I want to tell you about the love of my life—my wife, Laura Hollis Holleman (“Laurie”). Laurie passed away peacefully on April 24, 2024, surrounded by our three children, her loved son-in-law Beau Wiltz and our dear prayerful friend (Beau’s Mother), Annette Wiltz.

This is a testament to a great woman of faith who loved her family deeply and, whenever she could, lived out God’s greatest command: to share His redeeming love with others, especially children.

Laurie was born on April 8, 1960, in West Memphis, Arkansas, to Nancy Gant Hollis and William Slater Hollis. She has three siblings: Mark B. Hollis, Leslie Hollis, and John Pete Hollis.

Though that is where her story began, Gulfport, Mississippi became her home—and ours—for 45 years. It’s where we built our life together, raised our children, formed lifelong friendships, worshiped, served, laughed, and created memories I will carry with me forever.

I met Laurie 48 years ago, and she has been my best friend ever since. She became my wife 43 years ago, on May 28, 1983. From that day forward, there was truly never a dull moment. Laura had a way of turning ordinary days into something memorable. She could make you laugh when you didn’t feel like it. She could lift a room just by walking into it. And she could make you feel deeply loved without ever needing to say much at all.

If you knew her, you remember her smile first. Laurie had an infectious smile and a laugh that could fill a house. She loved joy. She loved fun. She loved surprising people. Her Christmas cards were legendary in our family—sometimes respectfully shocking, always hilarious, and unmistakably Laurie. And if you ever saw mannequins in trees or scattered around our home, you already understand. That was part of her creativity. That was her humor. That was her way of reminding us that life is a gift—and it’s okay to laugh. God gave us laughter.

Laurie’s beautiful spirit lives on in her children: Sarah Gant Wiltz (Beau), Hollis Taylor Holleman, and Leslie Dean Holleman II. This spirit is already beginning to blossom in her grandchildren—Jackson Holleman, Emerson Holleman, and Claire Holleman.

One of Laura’s greatest prayers was to live to see and hold her grandchildren, and God graciously answered that prayer. She was able to hug them, love them, and even watch a first T-ball game in March 2026. May she continue to live through these precious God given gifts.

Laurie was many things. She was a loving wife, mother, seamstress, a gardener, a wonderful cook, a gifted interior designer, and one of the most creative people I have ever known. She had many talents, but what mattered most was how she used them—to bless others. She loved beautiful things, but she loved people even more.

She was so very honest and genuine—the kind of person with no pretense. What you saw was exactly who she was. She didn’t carry hate in her heart. She loved those who loved, cared for those who cared, and was fiercely loyal to those who were loyal to her.

Laurie was a giver. She gave her time, her energy and her whole heart. She had more love than she could ever give away, and she spent her life trying to give it anyway.

I must also share that she also loved her dogs, especially Duke. They were precious to her and she cared for them like family.

But more than anything, Laura loved her Lord Jesus. She knew Him. She loved His Word. She didn’t just talk about her faith; she lived it daily. Through Bible studies like MasterLife, Experiencing God, and Raising Kids God’s Way, she shaped not only her own life, but the lives of our children and so many others.

She served faithfully in children’s ministry for many years—through Mission Friends, children’s Bible study, Vacation Bible School, youth retreats, and anything else she could do to help. One of the greatest things she ever did was host weekly Bible studies for each of our three children and their friends throughout their middle and high school years—always with a full breakfast buffet waiting for them, including her famous cheese grits. She opened our home, opened her Bible, and poured into those kids a foundation of faith that will last forever.

And Laura loved children, all children. Over the years, she served as a foster mother to many beautiful children who received the love of a mother that was foreign to them. One was our Ashley, who holds a particularly special place in our hearts. Laura gave these children love, safety, and a sense that they mattered. That was who she was.

For 14 years, Laura fought cancer. These past many months have been the hardest. It was a long and difficult fight, but she faced it with courage, grace, and unwavering faith. I watched her endure things no one should have to endure—and even then, she still smiled. She still laughed. She leaned. She still loved. This journey of 14 years was blessed with our “sister’’, Dr. Allison Wall who is one of the most loving and able physicians I have ever known. God sent her to offer her talents to this world with love. That is rare.

We also have to give much thanks for Ochsners’ Dr. Clark Alsfeld, his oncology staff (Bill and Camyrn) and the many doctors and nurses on the many floors of the hospital who would even visit Laurie after she was transferred to other areas of the hospital during her stay. (the oncology floor had a waiting list of nurses wanting to be assigned to Laurie). And to those doctors who would call me out by name while walking in the hospital to give me a hug: God’s amazing love demonstrated in a mighty way in a very big place.

I will miss her more than anything. We were inseparable. We chose each other, again and again, over everything this busy world could offer. And I won’t pretend to know how to move forward without her as many adjustments will have to be made on my part.

But I do know this: Laurie’s life mattered deeply. She made people better. She brought joy, faith, and love into this world—and the world is better because she was here.

The Bible says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” That verse fits her life. God gifted Laura in so many ways, and she used those gifts fully.

And I know where Laurie is today—she is truly home. She is healed. There is no more pain, no more treatments, no more bad news, no more tears—only peace.

Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled… I go to prepare a place for you.” Just last week, Laurie looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes, though her body had grown frail, and said: “I am ready.” She had reached a place of complete peace in her faith. Laurie is in that place now—not suffering, not fighting, not weary—but whole, healed, and finally home. And she would want to remind us that we all have the opportunity to reach that same place. Do that!

Thank you Sarah Gant, Dean and Hollis for being loving children. You have been selfless, very selfless. And Beau, thank you for standing beside us so faithfully through it all as her “son-in-love”. God sent you and your family to us at a very special time. The bedside prayers of your mother, Annette Wiltz, with Laura on her last days and minutes were a blessing from God. After a long four days in that room waiting, the peace the that filled that room was miraculous.

Our hearts are broken, but it is not without hope. Because of Jesus, this goodbye is not forever. One day we will see her again. In the meantime we can continue to exchange our love through her spirit and worship the God who blessed us with her. Until then, we carry her love with us.

Finally, Laurie has always been very clear to request that no funeral be held to place any focus on her. Her life testimony is her faith in Jesus Christ. We honor her request. We want to honor children for Laurie by asking for those who want to donate to do so to the Trinity United Methodist Church’s (Gulfport, Mississippi) after school ministry programs which offer young children God’s love after school each week. Theses gifts will go to directly benefit those children.

https://www.trinitygulfport.com/kidsministry