Elizabeth Brown Holliday passed peacefully in her sleep on December 10, 2010, at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.
She was born in the small town of Maringouin, Louisiana on February 5, 1930, and grew up on the family farm there during the depression. Although money was tight, love and farm-fresh food were provided abundantly by her recently-widowed mother, twin brother Carroll Brown and ten older siblings. She was married to George Holliday, Sr. for fifty-nine years. They have two sons, George Holliday, Jr. and Stephen Holliday who now live in San Antonio.
Although born an Episcopalian, she adopted her husband’s faith and was active in North End United Methodist Church (UMC) in Beaumont and one of the founding members of Wesley United Methodist Church when the congregation moved to the rapidly-developing west side of Beaumont. She spent her adult life lovingly caring for her church community, other friends, and family, especially her two beloved granddaughters, Emma Brey Holliday and Elizabeth Brey Holliday of San Antonio. She liked to remind the family that she prayed Steve and his wife Robin Brey back to Texas from Oregon in 1985 so that she could see (and cook for) Emma and Elizabeth more frequently. The friends and family that shared one of her home-cooked dishes in times of sorrow or celebration over the years would fill a small well-fed city!
Although she moved to San Antonio several years ago due to failing health, there was never any doubt that Beaumont remained “home” in her heart. The family is thankful beyond words for the steady outpouring of love from her Wesley United Methodist Church community, family, and friends while she was in San Antonio and throughout her life.
She always loved Christmas, and no doubt would remind now us to temper our grief this Advent Season with thankfulness and celebration of God’s greatest and eternal gifts: His Son and the love of our families.
Her funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 21, 2010, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont with a private burial service at Magnolia Cemetery under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A gathering of her family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 20, 2010, at Broussard’s.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713 or to Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
