Joseph was born on August 15, 1929 in McEwen, Tennessee. He is preceded in death by his parents, James Patrick Holloran and Mary Ann( Mayme) Lagan , along with all his siblings: Loraine (Joe) Thompson, James (Marie) Holloran, Ann Ridings( J.B.) Hooper, Thomas (Dot) Holloran and Margaret Eileen (Ed) Settlers. Joe was very proud of his 100% Irish legacy, and was “an old stubborn Irishman”, as Mary would say.
He graduated from McEwen High School in 1947 and although he had offers to play professional baseball, he joined the Navy and became a radio operator on submarines for three years. He came home and began working for Nashville Electric Service in 1950. He became reacquainted with his wife, Mary Lee, who also attended McEwen High School, and they were married February 2, 1952. They had five children, Steve, (Donna) who we lost in 2004, Mark (Rea), Paula (Michael), Tim (Cande) and Amy (Robb). They have 14 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. They have been members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church for over 60 years, and will be sadly missed at their usual 8:30 mass on Sundays. Joe enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening and became an avid golfer winning many tournaments including the 1965 Capital City golf association tournament held at McCabe golf course. He retired in 1990 but continued to work for years picking up ads for the Tennessean newspaper. Most weekends you could find him at his cabin in the woods resting on the porch after doing some fishing or hunting.
Mary Lee was born on April 7, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan and moved back to McEwen when she was two. She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Wherry Moody and Myrtie Isabelle Peeler, along with siblings Margie (Bob) Beightol, Leon (Ann) Moody, Robert (Barbara) Moody. She is survived by sisters Edna Ashworth, Doris (Gene) Sadler, and Joan (Riley) Breedlove. She graduated from McEwen High School in 1949 as valedictorian and went to Nashville Business College to learn business secretarial skills. After getting married in 1952, she became a homemaker and mother of five children. She enjoyed bowling, and participated in a league for years.
She went to work at Vanderbilt University in 1973 and worked there 25 years in the bookstore as a teller at the check-cashing window for students. While there, she enjoyed football games and became a season ticket holder and University of Tennessee hater! We were not allowed to wear orange at home! After retirement, she had more time to be Mimi to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and enjoyed family celebrations, watching them perform in sports or programs, and all religious events.
Everyone who knew her says she was the sweetest woman you could ever meet in this world. (Married to Joe for so long gave her a special place in Heaven!)
They are both survived by their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, a host of cousins, friends and acquaintances. They were blessed beyond measure and have left behind a legacy of faith, sacrifice, family, love and life long memories for those who had the pleasure of getting to know them. It is with faith we know they are walking the streets of glory, pain free and that we will see them again in God’s time.
Visitation will be held on Sunday January 10, 4-7pm with a private family rosary at 6:30 at Marshall Donnelly Combs funeral home. Another visitation on Monday, January 11 at 10:00 am will be at St. Patrick Church in McEwen, TN followed by a funeral service and burial in the church cemetery. Officiates are Father Fye, St. Ann parish priest, and Father Simon, St. Patrick parish priest.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate to either church in Joe and Mary Lee’s name, the family would be deeply honored. Thank you for your love and support during this most difficult time and using Joe’s favorite saying, “See you down the road”!
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