Holladay, Bessie Lee (Mrs. Samuel)

1/16/2003

Oct. 8, 1906 - Jan. 16, 2003

She fought the good fight; she finished the race; she kept the faith and she has gained the crown of righteousness.
Bess was married to Samuel Sledge Holladay in 1926. Brother Sam’s first wife, when their daughter was very young, died of influenza during the epidemic in the twenties. Brother Sam had been converted during a Billy Sunday revival and in 1927 he accepted the call to preach. Bess became his constant companion in ministry. In the next 41 years they were the spiritual leaders in the Methodist pastorates of Standard-Olla, Jonesville, Marion-Downsville, Sterlington, Gordon Avenue, Delhi-Crowville, Gilbert-Fort Necessity, Coushatta, Logansport, Columbia, Oakdale, Colfax, Belcher-Gilliam, Moss Bluff, and Marksville-Oak Grove. During these 41 years were born to them four sons. They retired to Springhill, Louisiana in 1968 and continued in ministry until Brother Sam’s death in 1981.
Bess loved sports, baseball, football and basketball, attending High School, College and professional games. She also was Brother Sam’s long time fishing partner.
Bess and Brother Sam enjoyed the works of Alfred Lord Tennyson, especially:
CROSSING THE BAR

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
May there be no moaning at the bar,
When I put out to sea.
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.

One of her favorite scripture passages was Micah 6:8; “He has shown thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” She lived such a life!

Terral T. Lowe
Source: Journal Louisiana Conference 2003 (Memoirs)