Ruby Evelyn Hollifield

Ruby Evelyn Hollifield passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her daughter Olivia Hollifield and granddaughter, Tanya Hollifield on Sunday, March 23, 2014. She was 97. Ruby was born in Manfred, Arkansas, the daughter of Robert Milton Bates and Onga Crump Bates. She married Buster Hollifield who preceded her in death on August 18, 1995. She was also preceded in death by her mother and father, Milton and Onga Bates; three siblings, Geneva Bates, Bill Bates and Emmet Bates. She graduated from Caddo Gap High School and attended Henderson State College to obtain her teacher's license before teaching school in Hopper, Arkansas. She moved with her husband, Buster, to California in the 1940's, where they began business as the Hollifield Lumber Company in Philo, California. There she worked as the bookkeeper in the lumber mill for many years, was active in her two daughters and granddaughter's life (sewing dresses and attending their various programs), and a life long member of the church. Most recently she was a member of the Church of Christ in Bethsaida, where she taught various Sunday morning classes as well as an adult woman's study group in her home. She was an avid gardner, raising flowers as well as vegetables, loved to read, was famous for her chocolate pies, and loved being surrounded by family and friends. Ruby had recently moved with Olivia from the farm in Amity, where she resided for 45 years, in August 2013 to be near Tanya in Little Rock. Ruby enjoyed relatively good health most of her 97 years, until she fell and broke her hip in January 2014, resulting in the decline in her well-being. She is survived by her two daughters, Olivia Hollifield of Little Rock and Elizabeth "Betty" Ojakian of New York, NY, and two grandchildren, Tanya Hollifield of Little Rock and Kerry Ojakian of New York, NY, her sister Wilma Brink of Booneville, California and sister-in-law Beatrice Stafford of Sacramento, California, along with nieces and nephews and dear friends. She will be laid to rest next to her husband Buster on Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Hopper Cemetery after the service at the Davis-Smith Funeral Home which is at 2:00 PM, Sunday, March 30, 2014 and Brother Harold Vaughn will officiate. The graveside service will follow at the Hopper Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday evening 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Davis-Smith Funeral Home in Glenwood. Pallbearers will be John Hollifield, Neal Price, Paul Pittman, Charles Coffman, PD Coffman and Larry Deaton. In lieu of flowers honorary donations to the Hopper Cemetery or the Alzheimer's Association are well appreciated. Guest registry is at www.davis-smith.com.