Mary Winifred Nall Hollis, 83, died March 7, 2009, in Fairhope, where she had resided since 2004.
She was born Sept. 2, 1925, in Troy, where she lived for 34 years. From there she moved to Birmingham, Arab, Huntsville and Melborne, Fla. A philanthropist by nature, she enjoyed being of service, and worked with many people, charities and organizations in Alabama.
She devoted her time to her family’s care, and assisted her husband in his banking career until his death in 2000. She visited her daughter and son-in-law, Argel Mora, in Valencia, Venzuela. Her grandson, Argel Enqrique Mora, lived with them in Arab for half of each year in the 1980s and ’90s.
She and her sister, Glennie Trotman Nall Barnard, cared for their mother, the late Lucy Trotman Nall. She and John “Bubba” Trotman, her first cousin, shared many wonderful moments together. Among other family in the Mobile area with whom she was a close friend, are sister-in-law, Mary Edna Foster; Baba Hendricks, David Head, Alyson Jackson and Emily Taylor Jones.
She was invaluable as a public relations assistant for her son, Fred Nall Hollis, in his artistic career in the U.S. and Europe, and was a contributor and supporter of the Nall Foundation. She spent her last years at Homestead Village, and Oakland Place Alzheimer’s Clinic in Fairhope, making many friends there.
She lived with a zeal for life, adoring many friends, caring for the sick as a volunteer nurses aid, and spent many hours at the bridge table sharpening her mathematical skills. She loved gardening, quilting, cooking, meeting new and old friends, entertaining and traveling.
She was preceeded in death by her husband, Joe Frost Hollis; daughter, Merrill de Mora; and her parents.
Survivers include four brothers-in-law, Robert Hollis, John W. Hollis, Thomas Gerald Hollis, Dr. Morris Hollis, nieces and nephews, Bonnie Barnard McAleer, Tony Barnard, Jeffrey Nall Barnard, Glenn Barnard, Mary Jane Taylor Dobbins, Emily Taylor Jones, Susan Taylor Thames, Tom Hollis, Bob Hollis, Marie Hollis McElheny, George Hollis, Carol Hollis, Melanie Hollis and Anne Marie Hollis.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Nall Foundation, which supports young Alabama artists, P.O. Box 1343, Fairhope, AL 36533.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service was held Saturday, March 14, at Henry George Park in Fairhope. A reception followed at her son’s home.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Nall Foundation which supports young Alabama artists, P.O. Box 1343, Fairhope, AL 36533.
Cremation arrangements are by Hughes Cremation & Funeral Service, Daphne.
