Thelma was born October 24, 1924, in Umatilla, Florida to Jesse Ainsworth Adams and Lizzie Louise Parks. She was the oldest of four children. In her youth, Thelma and her family lived in Miami, Thomasville GA, Eustis, Crystal River and eventually Jacksonville. It was in Jacksonville she met the love of her life, Willie Mell (Bill) Hollis.
Thelma and Bill were married in October of 1942. A year later they relocated to Pensacola as Bill joined the Navy. Ultimately Thelma and Bill moved back to Jacksonville where they built their dream home and lived the rest of their lives in the Grove Park area.
Thelma worked in the automotive sales industry, eventually joining her husband when they opened Park Motors on north Main Street. Together they loved golf, bowling, the theatre, traveling and spending precious time with family. Thelma loved the beach and spent many hours collecting shells for her meticulous shell art. She had a delightfully quick wit, often surprising due to her quiet nature and graciousness. Thelma was a wonderful cook, loved sharing recipes and always had a warm meal for family, friends and church members. Most recently, Thelma cherished her weekly dominos/card playing friendships, as well as her church friends who so lovingly looked after her.
Thelma was a charter member and faithful servant of Holiday Hill Baptist Church for more than fifty years. She served her Lord and the congregation in several capacities, including planning many events, the Sunday nursery, Sunday morning greeter and most recently, an integral member of the Senior Women’s Sunday School class. Her devotion to knowing and loving her Lord, Jesus Christ, was shown in every word and deed. Thelma was known all her life for the gracious and kind way she lived, selflessly serving her immediate and extended families, her communities, friends, and neighbors.
Thelma is survived by her daughter, Marjorie Haynes, grandchildren Keith (Linda) Vincent, Tom Parrish, Keri (Grant) Skousen, Terry Wingate, Janet (Cleve) Cheshire, Joni (Terry) Vincent, as well as her devoted nephews and nieces: Mike (Kathy) Adams, Kenny (Linda) Adams, Walt (Betty) Welch and Ann Tucker. Thelma is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, five great-nieces/nephews, fourteen great-great-grandchildren and several great-great nieces/nephews, all of whom cherish their unique relationship with her.
Thelma is preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill, parents Jessie and Lizzie Adams, sister Wilma Tucker, brother Clifton Adams, daughter Carolyn Hollis, son-in-law Harold Haynes, granddaughter Kathi Haynes Parrish, sister-in-law Shirley Adams and nephew Donnie Tucker.
Thelma’s family expresses gratitude to the staff of Anthem Lakes Assisted Living of Atlantic Beach and Community Hospice & Palliative Care of Jacksonville.
Life Celebration Services for Thelma will be held on January 26th, 2022
Online: https://bit.ly/ThelmaHollis or https://www.holidayhillbc.org
In Person: Holiday Hill Baptist Church, 730 Mandalay Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32216
Visitation: 10:00 – 10:45 AM
Pastor’s Service: 11:00 AM
Interment: 12:30 (Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207)
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GreenlawnJacksonville.com for the Hollis family.
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