Mary Holyfield

Mary Ann Holyfield

Brandon, MS

Mary Ann Hastings Holyfield departed this life on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at her home after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Visitation will be 9am until 11am at First Baptist Church on College St, with the service at 11am Friday.  Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Gardens in Brandon. She was born in Kansas to Gertrude and Ivan Denton Hastings on November 8, 1930.  The family moved to Colorado Springs, CO where Mary received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Colorado.  While in Colorado she met her husband, Bill Holyfield, while he was serving in the Air Force.  They moved here to Brandon, Mississippi in 1953 where she and Bill began their family and careers.

Mary valued education both academically and spiritually.  She began teaching nursing at the Gilfoy School of Nursing associated with the Baptist Hospital in Jackson, MS.  She furthered her education with a Master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing from University of Mississippi and a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Mississippi College.  She remained working in education arena all of her life.  She retired from Mississippi Baptist Medical Center as Director of Hospital Education after 40 plus years. Mary was an active member of First Baptist Church Brandon where she taught Sunday School and other bible study classes for many years.  She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, mentor and role model who loved her family and friends.  Mary always found the good in everything and relating it back to Jesus.

She is predeceased her parents – Gertrude and Ivan Hastings, Harold Hastings - brother, Wava Foulk - sister, and W. G. (Billy) Holyfield, III - son.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, W. G. (Bill) Holyfield, Jr., daughters, Deborah Bolian (David, deceased), Betsy Ingram, Joanna Wimberley (James) and daughter-in-law, Melissa Holyfield Buckley.  Grandchildren:  Aimee Bolian Stanford, Glen Bolian, Leah Bolian Smith (Chris), Matthew Bolian (Patty), Maggie Ingram Goforth (John), Corley Ingram, Mary Ingram, Emma Ingram, Will Holyfield (Jessica), Kristina Holyfield Rawls (Jeremy), Cameron Wimberley.

Great Grandchildren:  Ty Faulkner, Trevor Faulkner, Naomi Smith, Kane Smith, Gaston Holyfield, Sadie Leigh Holyfield, Ruby Lynn Holyfield.

We will always remember Mary (Mom, Mimi) because of her giving, caring spirit, encouraging words of wisdom and beautiful smile.

Memorials can be sent to First Baptist Church Brandon.