Marie Cartwright Holley died on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at the Meadows in Fulton, where she had been a resident for the past three years. She was 95 years old, an accomplishment she felt fortunate to have achieved. She was born December 31, 1929 to Tom and Ruby Maddox Cartwright of Booneville, Mississippi. She attended Booneville public schools until the eleventh grade, when she met and married William Holley of Marietta, and moved to the family farm. She graduated from Marietta High School as salutatorian but she often said her biggest accomplishment was playing on the basketball team, although just as a sub. This led to a lifetime love of basketball, culminating in her 80s when she became a huge fan of Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, staying up past midnight to catch many of their games utilizing her NBA League Pass.An only child, she and William wanted a large family and were blessed with five children, all of whom survive her: Janice Parsons (Keith) of Madison, MS, Frank Holley (Judy) of Marietta, Sharon Holley of Gulfport, Susan Holley of Marietta, and Mark Holley of Tupelo. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Brad Holley of Natchez, Jennifer Hunt (Kerry) of Booneville, Joey Madere (Brittany) of Ocean Springs, Amanda Parsons (Erik) of Boulder, Co, Lizzie Parsons of Franklin, TN, Rachel Breazeale (Colby) of Tupelo, Hannah Holley (Bryan) of Tupelo, Carleigh Holley (Daniel) of Black Mountain, NC, and Anne Marie Holley of Corinth. Also surviving her are 11 beloved great grandchildren. Her love for her family knew no limits and she was immensely proud of them all. One of her favorite family activities was Bingo Night, where she always insisted on being the “caller.”Following the death of her husband in 1986, she became a kindergarten teachers assistant at Marietta Elementary where her love of children found an outlet in the lives of countless students for the next fifteen years. She loved nature, especially red birds, hummingbirds, dogs and cats. As a farmer’s wife, she never stopped worrying about the weather. She enjoyed the outdoors, growing her garden and raising beautiful flowers. Until she suffered a hip fracture in her 80s, she could always be seen mowing her large yard with her trusty 40 year old John Deere mower. While she had rather be outside than cooking, she did have her signature dish, chocolate fudge with a signature swirl, which family and friends eagerly looked forward to.She was a member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. She was the last surviving member of the Golden Girls, a group of delightful ladies including Mayno Senter, Eloise Floyd, Bobbie Huddleston and Lorene Taylor. Her sweet disposition and gift of gab followed her throughout her long life, and she will be missed and cherished by all that she touched.Services will be held at McMillan Funeral Home on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. with Bro. Glenn Jones officiating. Burial with graveside services will take place at Zion Rest Cemetery with Minister Tony Brown officiating. Visitation will take place on Friday, February 21, 2025 between 6 and 8 P.M. and on Saturday from 11 A.M. until service time.Memorials may be made to the Zion Rest Cemetery Fund, c/o Farmers and Merchants Bank, Marietta, MS.
