Helen Streety Hollis

Southaven - Helen Streety Hollis, 87, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2015, at North Delta Hospice in Southaven. Born on October 9, 1927, in Becker, MS, but having lived most of her life in Amory, she was the daughter of the late Roland P. and Essie Freeman Young.

She was a graduate of Becker High School and later married Lewis Edward "Jimmy" Streety. A seamstress at Wilson Manufacturing, she continued working as she raised her two children after the unexpected death of her husband. In 1970, she married Rev. M. L. Hollis and traveled to various churches helping him in his ministry of Christ. Having an undying faith in God as the guide for her life, she was a firm believer in the free will of man. Mrs. Hollis attended Main Street Free Will Baptist Church, where she played piano and sang for many years. When Rev. Hollis died, she was attending IJC School of Nursing in Tupelo and graduated in 1975, at age 48. She later became a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, where her first husband, Jimmy, was a charter member.

An over-comer, she always gave 110% at everything she did, believing that a job well done was the reward for doing the job. After 20 dedicated years of working as an LPN, Mrs. Hollis retired from Gilmore Memorial Hospital. Even after retirement, she continued to care for others as she went to work for Oak Tree Plantation. A firm believer in honesty and always sharing it in any situation, Mrs. Hollis had a wonderful sense of humor. Her special care and concern for people made her the beautiful lady she was. She was passionate about nursing and her family and their wellbeing. Mrs. Hollis was a past member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. She enjoyed spending time with family, playing the piano, reading, knitting, and always sharing her wonderful home cooked meals for all who gathered around her table. Having a love for music, she enjoyed hymns, Southern Gospel quartets, and old-time singings. Her favorite time was getting together with family at Christmas where her passion for music was passed down even to her great-grandchildren. She loved to sing carols while the piano and guitar played and always loved hearing her family showcase their own musical talents.

She is survived by her daughter, Vicki Smith (Sammy), Collierville, TN; son, Eddie Streety (Denise), Jackson, MS; grandchildren: Chanda Haba, Charlie Lockhart, Tripp Streety, Chelsi Strevel, and Christian Smith; great-grandchildren: Briannah, Maysa, Tej-Deen, Addyson, Alyvia, Avery, Cameron, and Cooper. Also, Mary Jean Hollis of Amory, step daughter-in-law and M. L. Hollis, Jr. of Tupelo, step-son; as well as several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Lewis Edward "Jimmy" Streety and Bro. Martin Luther Hollis, Sr.; sisters, Katie Lou Sanders and Lois Betts; brother, James Mansel Young; step-daughter, Dorothy Vinson; step-son, Flavis J. Hollis; and great-grandson, Ryan Smith.

Her Funeral Service will be held at 1 PM, Thursday, July 2, 2015, at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Amory, with Bro. Edward Puckett and Bro. Lloyd Minor officiating. Burial will follow in Masonic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dennis Houston, Frank Vetters, Charlie Lockhart, Christian Smith, Joseph Strevel, and J. B. Markham. Honorary pallbearers will be Sammy Smith, Mike Haba, Richard Brown, Larry Morris, Larry Meyers, and Kenny Rye.

Visitation will be from 11 AM until the service hour on Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given to American Cancer Society, c/o Beth May, PO Box 269, Amory, MS 38821.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.