G. Tullie Hollis Jr.

He graduated from Cottonwood High School. He served 5 years in the U.S. Army and earned the following: Army of Occupation Medal (Japan); United Nations Service Medal; Korean War Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and Combat Infantry Badge. He attended Howard College (now Samford University) and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and met his bride and wife of 63 years, Betty Ritchey. He worked as a Deputy Sheriff for Jefferson County and then held a long career as a Detective for L&N and CSX Railroad. After he retired, he earned a Horticultural Degree from Bessemer Tech and started B & T Lawn Care. He was actively involved with the Knights of Columbus starting in 1956 as a Charter Member of the Monsignor John Caneta Council #5164 at St. Barnabas in Birmingham; the Alabama State Master (with star) of the Fourth Degree; Charter Member of the Columbia Council #7447 at St. Catherine of Siena in Columbia, Tennessee, where he was Grand Knight for 3 years; Member of the Gadsden Knights of Columbus Council #3568 and Charter Faithful Navigator of Gadsden Fourth Degree Assembly #2051 at St. James in Gadsden, AL; Charter Member of Bishop Vath Assembly #2302 of the Fourth Degree at Our Lady of the Valley; Charter Member and Faithful Navigator of Fr. Michael J. McGivney Assembly #2574 at St. Thomas the Apostle; Charter Member and Grand Knight of St. Thomas the Apostle Council #9550. In addition, he served on many committees of both the Council and Assembly in Columbia, TN; Birmingham, Gadsden and Montevallo, AL.

Tullie was a loving husband, father, Gidi (Grandfather) and Great-Gidi (Great-Grandfather). While he had a strong faith and work ethic, Tullie also knew how to have fun—always looking for an opportunity to play tricks and/or lovingly aggravate his family and friends. We are thankful for his love of photography and the gift of old movies capturing family times of long ago. He enjoyed working outdoors, especially when it involved using his tractor. Tullie was always happy to lend a hand…and a tool, and he would gladly tell a story or two if you were willing to listen.

He was preceded in death by his wife – his “pretty lady”, Betty Ritchey Hollis; his parents, G. Tullie, Sr. and Tommie (Richards) Hollis of Dothan; brothers, Jimmy (June) Hollis of Albany, GA, and Earl “Bobby” (Janice) Hollis of Dothan; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, Gladys Ritchey, Sam and Edna Ritchey, Phillip and Kitty Ritchey, George and Dot Ritchey, Joe Ritchey, James Ritchey, Fred George, Bill and Mildred Stephens, Agnes Ritchey, Ferris and Wilma Ritchey and Johnny Boackle; and granddaughter, Tammy White.

He is survived by his children, Teresa (Michael) Vaccaro, Donna (Rob) Huckestein, Gerard (Sue) Hollis and Pam (Chris) Ragusa; brother, Gerald (Linda) Hollis of Dothan; brother-in-law and sister-in-laws, Elaine Ritchey, Elizabeth Ritchey, Lorene George of Jonesboro, AR, Albert (Mary Grace) Ritchey and Elizabeth Boackle; grandchildren, Tricia (Bill) Hughes, Keith (Amanda) Sims, Carrie Vaccaro, Ashley (Jeremy) Wilson, Jake (Rachael) Huckestein, Michael Higdon, Kenny (Violet) Higdon, Cecilia Ragusa, Sophia Ragusa and Amelia Ragusa; 13 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 30, 2020, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Montevallo, Father Ray Dunmeyer officiating. All are welcome, but those attending are asked to wear a mask and to social distance. For those who cannot attend and would like to watch the service via livestream, please click the link below or go to the Facebook page for Southern Heritage Funeral Home.

Interment at Alabama National Cemetery; however, graveside services are limited to immediate family due to cemetery restrictions. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Salvation Army – Birmingham (P.O. Box 11005, Birmingham, AL 35202) or St. Thomas Catholic Church Building Fund or Knights of Columbus (80 St. Thomas Way, Montevallo, AL 35115).

Funeral services provided by Dignity Memorial Ridout’s Southern Heritage Chapel (www.dignitymemorial.com) – 205-988-3511).