Judith “Judy” Louise Hollida Daves passed away Dec. 30, 2021, at home surrounded by her loving family.
Judy was born in Harlingen, Texas Dec. 21, 1937, to Herbert B. Hollida and Madalyne Armstrong Hollida Graham.
In November 1942, Judy’s family moved from Texas to Cascade Mo where her father operated a sawmill before his death in July 1950. Judy attended the Gravelton and Buckhorn grade schools and then graduated high school from Greenville, Class of 1955.
Judy was married to Lavern H. Daves Oct. 6, 1957. To this union there were born four children: Susan Louise, Jeffrey Neal, Robinn Celeste, and John Herbert.
Judy retired as a postmaster from the Federal Postal Service after 38 years of service She started as a postal clerk in 1963 at the Silva Post Office, becoming postmaster for that branch in 1972. She was beloved by her patrons, and she always had fresh cookies and hot coffee to share as folks picked up their mail.
Judy was saved and baptized in 1947 and attended the Hickory Grove Baptist Church while young. As an older teen and adult, she was a member of the Greenville Missionary Baptist Church. In her later years she was a faithful member of the New Prospect Missionary Baptist church.
Judy was a 63-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, holding memberships in both the Greenville and Piedmont chapters. She held multiple leadership positions at the local and state level, with the highlight of serving as the Grand Representative for Missouri to the District of Columbia in 2013.
Judy adored her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and showered each of them with love and support for their dreams and plans. She loved to watch professional bull riding and had the chance to several attend live events. Christmas was her favorite time of the year, and she would made cookie and candy trays for others to celebrate the season; she was known as one of the best cooks in the area. Judy really loved snow; and because she prayed for snow, she felt sorry for the MODOT workers. So, she would make fresh doughnuts and deliver them to the men working the storm.
Remaining to cherish Judy’s memory are her husband, Lavern, of the home; her children: Susan (Bill) Gray of Archie, Missouri, Jeffrey (Lora) Daves of Greenville, Missouri, Robinn Daves-Huey of Dexter, Missouri, and John Herbert (Samantha) of Patterson, Missouuri, eight grandchildren and five step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and seven step-great grandchildren, extended family and a lifetime of friends.
Preceding Judy in death were her parents, her stepfather, Willard “Pete” Graham, and brothers, Billy George Hollida and Ralph Dan “Doc” Hollida.
Judy’s love for life, sense of humor, and red hair will always be remembered. Her greatest legacy was her unconditional love for her family and friends, which was shown through her hard work, dedication and abiding love.
The family is deeply appreciative to Becky Rogers and Mary Duncan for their in-home care of Judy; and to Preferred Hospice for their outstanding and compassionate care during the past months.
Visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 2, at Ruegg Funeral Home in Greenville for the family at 4 p.m. and the public from 5 to 7 p.m. with an Order of Eastern Star service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m, Monday, Jan 3, at Ruegg Funeral Home with interment at the Montgomery Chapel Cemetery, Silva, Missouri
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Graham Cemetery in care of Bill DeSpain, 3123 Wayne Rt. M, Silva, MO 63964.