ETHEL LOUISE HOLLEY

During the months of November and December, Ethel Louise Holley began to get tired and in January decided that she was ready to go home. On Monday, January 26, 2009; she departed this life at the age of 102, at Adams Street Place in Jefferson City, Missouri. Mrs. Holley was born , January 16, 1907, in Wadesboro, North Carolina, to Walter and Eliza Teal who preceded her in death. She was married to William Oliver Holley who also preceded her in death in 1956. She attended Livingston College in Fayetteville, North Carolina and was a devoted and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Being involved in projects that made a difference in the lives of others was a great challenge for her and she served as a pollster in West Virginia 30 years. She was intensely proud of those who displayed a sincere interest in change for a better world. Ethel had been a regular visitor to Jefferson City since 1963. Prior to moving to Jefferson City to live with her daughter, Mrs. Helen L. Johnson in 2005, she had lived in Beckley, West Virginia where she was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church and served as Treasurer of the Missionary for many years. In addition, she taught Vacation Bible School. She was a people person who had many friends. She loved to travel and enjoyed all kinds of music. She also enjoyed meeting people and cherished her extended family and friends. Consequently, through the years she adopted 32 children from across the country, who were affectionately known as all my children. Many traveled to a surprise birthday party when she was 90 in West Virginia, and again when she celebrated her 95th, 100th and 102nd birthdays in Jefferson City. She is survived by her loving daughter, Helen L. Johnson, Jefferson City; devoted grandson Michael O. Johnson, M.D. and his wife Lisa; cherished grandchildren, Lauren, Lindsey and Megan, St. Charles, Missouri; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and Arizona. She was preceded in death by her siblings Benjamin, Howard, Claude, Watt, Margie, and Lillian Teal. Her words of wisdom that she leaves to all of us are: The life you live is the story you tell, so do your best to live it well. Funeral services and visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2009, at Second Baptist Church, 501 Monroe St, Jefferson City, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon followed by the funeral services at 1:00 p.m. Final home-going services will be held in Beckley, West Virginia, on Thursday, February 5, 2009 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, with entombment at Blue Ridge Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Adams Street Place, 1024 Adams Street, Jefferson City, Missouri. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.