Mae Pearl Meek Armstrong Holloway
January 25, 1923 - February 28, 2012
The family of Mae Pearl Meek Armstrong Holloway celebrates that she is gathered to her people in heaven at the ripe old age of 89.
Born the seventh of eleven children to William Henry and Dovie May Meek in Grayson County on January 25, 1923, Mae married Olin V. Armstrong in 1940 when she was 17. Olin died a few weeks following their marriage. Mae moved back to her parent's home, and completed her senior year at Howe High School, graduating in 1941.
Mae's schoolmate and best friend, Jessie Jo Holloway, thought her older brother, Herbert Orran Holloway, a farmer from Tom Bean, Texas, should cultivate a lasting relationship with Mae. Falling on fertile ground, Jessie's planted idea resulted in Mae and Herbert's wedding on June 12, 1942, sprouting a marriage that flourished until Herbert's death in 1988. They raised five children: Robert "Bobby" of Howe; John Herbert of Gunter; Jo Linda Thomas of Denton; Stephen Ray of Luella; and Cynthia Lou Stephens of Howe. These five continued cultivating the Holloway family through their marriages, and the births of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and then great-great grandchildren.
Mae and Herbert weathered many back-breaking years, as well as enjoyed many prosperous ones, farming their land near Howe, Texas. When lean years came, Mae went to work. In 1964, she traded the cotton fields for the cotton ball machine at the Sherman Johnson & Johnson plant where she made many lifelong friends. Throughout Mae's life, she drew strength from her belief in God, and His Son Jesus Christ. Her membership at the First Baptist Church of Howe kept her rooted in her faith, encouraging and ministering with fellow believers.
Mae is survived by her brothers, Marion Meek of Bells, Eual Meek of Henderson, Bill Meek of Sherman, and Bob Meek of Seagoville plus numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, treasured friends and wonderful caregivers. The fruits of Mae's lifelong labors of love will be harvested for generations to come.
The family wishes to thank Grayson Hospice.