Joan Hollis
5/7/1929 - 1/19/2026
Joan K. Hollis
Joan Kirkland Hollis, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend passed away on January 19, 2026 at 96 years of age. She will be greatly missed.
Part of Joan's story, as written for her family….
"I was born on May 7th, 1929 in Grandma and Grandpa Stoops farm house near Roosevelt, OK. My mother's name was Gladys. The doctor sent my father, Cecil Kirkland, a bill for $15.00 (for delivery of a baby girl). I had two brothers, Dale was 6 years older than me, my brother Jerry is 7 years younger.
We grew up and attended school in several different small communities where my father, taught and was superintendent for the consolidated schools in southwestern Oklahoma. I remember in two places where we lived our home was in a teacherage - a large building that housed teachers. At each of these we had a complete unit but most of the teachers were single women and they shared a common living room and kitchen. The teacherages were near the school which provided rooms for all 12 grades (2 grades per room) plus a gym, auditorium, library and offices - no indoor plumbing though.
We moved to Alva, Oklahoma when I was mid-way through the 8th grade. LeRoy and I started dating in high school there. We both attended Northwestern State College for 2 years then attended Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University). We both graduated the next year (1951) and both went on to earn Masters degrees in 1953-LeRoy's in chemistry and bio-chemistry, mine in vocational home economics and textiles."
Joan married LeRoy Hollis in 1950. She made her own satin wedding gown and her bridesmaid's dresses. After college graduation Joan and LeRoy moved to Richland, Washington. They and the two children born there relocated to Lake Jackson in 1956 when LeRoy took a job with Dow. Soon, Joan had her hands full with 3 little ones. She made beautiful clothes for herself and her children and kept a welcoming, comfortable home. Joan was a good cook and shared meals often with others. She was active in the Methodist Church and recalled teaching VBS that lasted 2 weeks each summer without air-conditioning. Whew! Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church was her second church home where she enjoyed helping out in the kitchen and attending Sunday School.
Joan designed the home where she and LeRoy lived for over 50 years. It was an open concept house that was before it's time. You could watch the TV at the far end of the den from the kitchen! Joan made everyone feel welcome there. She enjoyed long road trips with LeRoy in their camper, ranging across the USA and into Canada. Picking up pecans with a friend or with LeRoy was a favorite outdoor activity every fall. Gifting the shelled pecans to friends and family became a Christmas tradition.
Joan cherished time with her grandchildren. She attended countless sporting events, as well as choir, band, jazz and orchestra concerts. The boys knew that their Mimi was cheering them on whatever they chose to participate in. Love abounding!
Survivors include her brother Jerry Kirkland, daughters Holly Cowley and Cindy Cathcart (Duncan), grandsons David Cowley (Casey), Joshua, Bryce (Kelsey) and Nicholas Cathcart, great-granddaughters Kathryn Cowley and Kayda Cathcart and daughter-in-law Mary Hollis.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, LeRoy Hollis, her son Dan Hollis, son-in-law Scott Cowley and brother Dale Kirkland.
A combined memorial celebration of life for Joan and LeRoy Hollis will be held at a later date.
Special thanks to the caring staff at Carriage Inn. Joan's family appreciates and loves you. Please make memorial donations to Covenant EPC, Lake Jackson or the Carriage Inn Employees Christmas fund.
Obituary Provided By:
www.lakewoodfuneralchapel.com
info@lakewoodfuneralchapel.com
979-297-6464
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