Gregory Andrew Hollis of St. Simons Island, age 68, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2018 at Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick. He was born May 31, 1949 in LaGrange, GA, the first child of W.T., Jr. and Charlie Jean Dix Hollis and the eldest grandchild of William Tyra, Sr. and Maggie Smith Hollis and of Charlie Lumpkin and Mary Strong Dix, all late of LaGrange.
Greg has been a resident of St. Simons since 1989, moving here from Milledgeville. He was a 1969 graduate of Young Harris College and received his Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance from Georgia College and State University in 1971. He continued his education at GCSU’s graduate school of business, Berlinerorgelbauwerkstat in Berlin where he studied organ building, and through courses with the Royal School of Church Music in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Hollis was a Church Musician by profession having served as organist at First Presbyterian, Milledgeville and St. Simons Presbyterian and as Organist and Choirmaster at Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Milledgeville; St. Francis Episcopal Church, Macon; and Christ Church, Frederica, a position from which he was forced to retire in 2008 after suffering a debilitating stroke the previous year. Greg worked as a Registered Music Therapist at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville for 17 years. After coming to Glynn County, he pursued a career in banking, working for First Federal, Bank of America and Atlantic National Bank before entering full-time Church music.
On October 10, 1981 he married the love of his life and best friend, the Rev. Brenda Page Buckner at St. Stephen’s, Milledgeville.
Greg was a communicant of Christ Church, Frederica (Episcopal) and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Active in music in the community, he served for a number of years on the board of The Island Concert Association and was an accompanist when needed.
He was predeceased by his father, the Rev. W.T. Hollis, Jr. of Griffin, his father and mother-in-law, W. Morris and Pauline M. Buckner of Asheville, NC, and a beloved Aunt Mary Elizabeth Dix of LaGrange.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, the Rev. Brenda Buckner Hollis, of the home, his mother Charlie Jean Dix Hollis, Stockbridge, a brother James Gary Hollis (Cynthia L.) of Hampton, a sister Lorna Hollis Crowe (Dr. Keith) of McDonough, a brother-in-law Mark B. Buckner (Cathy R.) of Iron Station, NC, his nieces Celeste, Tyra and Emily Crowe of McDonough, Maggie Hollis of Hampton, Allison Buckner Parker, JD (Dr. Wes) of Advance, NC, a goddaughter, Allison Coleman of Augusta, and his beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Paddington and Chaz.
The burial office will be said and a requiem choral Eucharist will be celebrated at Christ Church, Frederica on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 11:00 am with The Rev. Tom Purdy and the Rev. Becky Rowell officiating. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Interment in the Churchyard will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Greg’s name may be made to the music ministries of Christ Church, Frederica or Frederica Presbyterian Church.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral home is entrusted with arrangements. www.EdoMillerAndSons.com
