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<div data-offset-key="atolf-0-0" class="_1mf _1mj"><span
data-offset-key="atolf-0-0"><span data-text="true">Obituary:
Willodean Holley (Mrs. Joe Holley)</span></span></div>
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<div data-offset-key="95kpb-0-0" class="_1mf _1mj"><span
data-offset-key="95kpb-0-0"><span data-text="true">BORN
04/24/1934; DIED 09/15/2024</span></span></div>
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<div data-offset-key="9u190-0-0" class="_1mf _1mj"><span
data-offset-key="9u190-1-0"><span data-text="true">Visitation
Oct. 5, 202410:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.First Baptist Church
Chapel</span></span></div>
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<div data-offset-key="djcmk-0-0" class="_1mf _1mj"><span
data-offset-key="djcmk-0-0"><span data-text="true">Willodean
Ruff Holley passed away on September 15, 2024, in
Huntsville, Alabama, at the age of 90. Born on April
24,1934 in Verbena, Alabama, Willodean lived a life of
grace, love, and devotion, and leaves behind a cherished
legacy in her family and those whose lives she touched.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Ellen Holley
Burnette (Richard), Jane Elizabeth Holley, and Martha Ann
Holley; her beloved grandchildren, Kaitlin Olivia Cordova,
Jesse David Burnette, Elizabeth Cordova McGee (Seth),
Benjamin Crawford Burnette, and William McDonald Burnette;
and her great-grandchildren, Joseph and Samuel McGee, and
David and James Burnette. She is preceded in death by her
devoted husband of 65 years, Joseph William.</span></span></div>
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<div data-offset-key="6963s-0-0" class="_1mf _1mj"><span
data-offset-key="6963s-0-0"><span data-text="true">Willodean's
life was a testament to dedication and perseverance. As
the first in her extended family to attend college, she
graduated from Alabama College (now the University of
Montevallo) in 1956 with a degree in social work. In 1958,
she met the love of her life, Joe Holley. After a
whirlwind three-month courtship, they married the same
year, building a beautiful partnership that spanned over
six decades. </span></span></div>
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<div data-offset-key="6963s-0-0" class="_1mf _1mj"><span
data-offset-key="6963s-0-0"><span data-text="true">Willodean
grew up in Elmore County and Montgomery, where she learned
the art of sewing from her mother. She lovingly created
almost all of the clothes her three young daughters wore.
Her seamstressing skills later blossomed into a rewarding
home business of designing, sewing, and installing window
treatments, often with Joe by her side. Crafting, flower
arranging, and writing were also among Willodean's
creative talents and joys. </span></span></div>
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<div data-offset-key="6963s-0-0" class="_1mf _1mj"><span
data-offset-key="6963s-0-0"><span data-text="true">Music
filled Willodean's heart, a passion which she shared with
her husband, Joe. She and Joe are fondly remembered for
their years of service at Southside Baptist Church,
Willodean as church pianist and Joe as minister of music.
She was also beloved during her years of service as the
secretary for the Baptist Student Union (now Baptist
Campus Ministries) at the University of Alabama in
Huntsville. To the countless students who frequented the
BSU, she was like a second mother, always offering warmth,
kindness, and a listening ear. </span></span></div>
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<div data-offset-key="6963s-0-0" class="_1mf _1mj"><span
data-offset-key="6963s-0-0"><span data-text="true">Willodean's
greatest joys in life were her faith, family, and church.
Her deep love for her husband, devotion to her children
and grandchildren, and strong relationship with God shaped
her life. She will be remembered for her quiet strength,
limitless love, and the lasting impact she had on everyone
who knew her. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she
is reunited with her beloved Joe in heaven, where their
love continues to endure. </span></span></div>
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<div data-offset-key="6963s-0-0" class="_1mf _1mj"><span
data-offset-key="6963s-0-0"><span data-text="true">On
Saturday, October 5, Willodean's family and friends will
celebrate her life. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m.,
followed by a service at 11:00 a.m., both held at First
Baptist Church in the Chapel, 600 Governors Drive in
Huntsville with Rev. Jud Reasons officiating. In lieu of
flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cultivate
Abundance, a non-profit organization addressing food
insecurity in farmworker communities. (</span></span><span
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data-text="true"><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.cultivateabundance.org/donate">www.cultivateabundance.org/donate</a></span></span></span><span
data-offset-key="6963s-2-0"><span data-text="true">).</span></span></div>
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<p>ttps://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/huntsville/name/willodean-holley-obituary?id=56340254&e=1da56445d887ca78a6cc8fe3aa356028&lctg=5ecfec02c67a7c7f52121d5a&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter_huntsville_obits%202024-09-20&utm_term=Newsletter_huntsville_obits<br>
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