Annie Laura Holly

Annie Laura Holly of Strong. On December 7, 1927, God blessed Ellis Willis and Annie B. Jane Champion Willis with a beautiful baby girl in Strong, Arkansas. They named her Annie Laura Willis. At a very early age, Annie accepted Christ and united with the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Strong, Arkansas where she served faithfully as Church Secretary, Church Treasurer and on the Missionary Society. Annie was a high school graduate of Gardner High School in Strong, Arkansas. She did her undergraduate studies at AM&N College, now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, earning a degree in Education and a minor in Home Economics. Annie furthered her education by attending Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama. She was also a member of the Gardner Alumni Association in Strong, Arkansas. "Maw Maw," "Lil Mom," "Sister," "Aunt Annie," "Auntie," and "Ms. Holly," are just a few of the names she was affectionately called by her family, friends and students. Ms. Holly had a passion and love for all children. She taught school for more than 55 years and began her teaching career at Stephens Elementary School in Stephens, Arkansas. Next, Ms. Holly began teaching at Urbana Elementary School District in Urbana, Arkansas. Later she obtained employment at Strong High School where she taught English, Reading and Language Arts. Ultimately, Ms. Holly began teaching and retired from Gardner-Strong Elementary School where she was a Resource Teacher. Even though her health was failing, she fought and struggled to remain in the classroom until January 21, 2011. She was committed and dedicated to providing all children with a quality education in order to prepare them for the challenges of life. In the year of 1956, Annie united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Legardie Holly. Her parents, husband, Legardie Holly, six brothers, Conway, John Carl, Ellis, Elmer Willis, Billy and Gilly Lumsey and one son, Lee Davis Holly preceded her in death. Mrs. Holly departed this life on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at Minden Medical Center in Minden, Louisiana. She leaves her cherished memories to her loving daughters: Chandra Hicks of Little Rock, Arkansas, Daphne Holly Baker and her husband Frederick of Strong, Arkansas and Mary Butler of Kansas City, Missouri; her grandchildren: Amelia, Rickey Theman, Holly, Levelle, Wilpatrick, Leo and Brandon; one sister: Lucille Thompson of El Dorado, Arkansas; and her sisters-in-law: Billie Bert Willis, Billie Dove Willis of Strong, Arkansas and Rubie Lee Willis of El Dorado, Arkansas. She also leaves nine great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and the many students whose lives she touched. Services are Saturday, 11 a.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Strong, Ark. with Elder Larry Smith, officiating. Interment at Gill Cemetery. The Body will lie in state from 10 a.m. until Funeral time.