Marion David “Buddy” Holman, 87, passed away peacefully at his residence in Flora, MS on February 26, 2026. He was born in Greenwood, MS on March 26, 1938, the son of the late Horace Young and Angie L. Overby Holman.
Mr. Holman grew up on the small family farm west of Isola, MS, and graduated from Isola High School in 1956. He graduated from Sunflower Junior College in 1958, and later from the University of Mississippi School of Engineering, with a B. S. degree in Civil Engineering in 1966. He was a member of Chi Epsilon civil engineering honor society and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard during the 1960s.
After graduation from engineering school, he worked for Allen & Hoshall consulting engineers in Memphis, TN until 1972, and then spent 25 years working for the Mississippi Research and Development Center in Jackson, MS. Upon retirement, he founded Holman and Associates consulting engineers and served as city engineer for the towns of Flora, Isola, Durant and Tchula.
Mr. Holman was a registered professional engineer in Mississippi and several surrounding states. He was a member of the Mississippi Engineering Society (MES) and served as its president in 1980-81. He was named Mississippi’s Engineer of the Year by MES in 1984. He also served on the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors.
He was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, and a member of the Men’s Adult Life Group Class who was a true class of “characters.” Mr. Holman was an avid Ole Miss football fan.
Mr. Holman is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife, Shelby Willoughby Holman of 67 years. He is also survived by one son, Scott Holman of Southaven, MS; three grandchildren, Will and Tyler Holman of Southaven, MS, Bailey Taylor of Shreveport, LA; and a brother Larry Holman (Kay) of Vicksburg, MS, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and an infant daughter.
Pallbearers are Joey Cunningham, Ken Kornegey, Chip Morgan, Kenny Rodgers, Trey Sandifer, and Kevin Upchurch. Honorary pallbearers are Perry Duet, Charles Holman, Hollis Putnam, Frazier Ward and Richard Young.
The Holman family wishes to thank Ms. Mary Williams for her loving care these last few weeks.
Memorial donations may be made in David’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, or Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison, MS.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, March 3, at Broadmoor Baptist Church Chapel. Visitation will be from 10 AM until the hour of service; Rev. Harvey Ellis officiating. Interment will follow the service at Parkway Memorial Cemetery, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Madison, MS.
