The Walking Horse world sadly lost one of its all time greatest ladies with the passing of Bernice Wedgeworth Holloway of West (Possumneck Community), Mississippi, on Thursday afternoon, January 22, 2004. After 10 years of ever increasing illness and health problems, Miss Bernice passed at Select Specialty Hospital in Jackson, Miss., with immediate survivors - husband Jimmy Holloway of 55 years and son Randy Holloway at her side. Also among the survivors was Mrs. Faye Michel, a devoted niece, who lived by her side during her many hospital stays.
Services for Miss Bernice were held Sunday, January 25th at the First Baptist Church in Kosciusko Miss., with burial in Parkway Cemetery. Rev. Barry Corbett officiated over her memorial service, to the people who came to pay their respects to this most remarkable lady. Jordan Funeral Home handled the arrangements, with visitation there Saturday evening, and visitation again prior to her service at the church.
Born in Lauderdale, Miss., Miss Bernice was preceded in death by her parents A. B. and Estelle Campbell Wedgeworth. Survivors in addition to the loves of her life, Jimmy and Randy, are her sisters Sallie Gray of Meridian, Miss., and Elizabeth Bonds of Livingston, Ala.; special family member E.C. Thornton, an employee of over 35 years, and a number of nieces and nephews...as well as many who so greatly wished they had been related to her.
Miss Bernice was truly the ultimate Southern lady - so very proud of husband Jimmy's many accomplishments in his years of training Tennessee Walking Horses, his induction into the Celebration's Hall of Fame, the Mississippi Horseman's Hall of Fame, and the many World Champions he produced. She was equally proud of son Randy's accomplishments as a world class athlete in his younger years, and of the success of his business, Holloway Crop Insurance, Inc.
She had much to be proud of herself, but was so very humble. A fantastic cook, who even during her illness continued to cook for others who were ill. She published her own cookbook, "Bernice's Possumneck Celebration with Family & Friends" that has sold over 4,000 copies - proving her expertise here...and in so many other areas.
Miss Bernice always had the very special knack of making anyone she knew, whether longtime friend and family member or complete stranger feel totally at home. The special music played at her service were hymns most dear to her heart - "In The Garden" and "Amazing Grace."
Pallbearers were dear friends Wallace Brandon, Sonny Holt, Johnny Thornton, Joey Michael, Mike Steed, Tim Cook, Doug Thornton, and Ralph Morgan.
Contributions in memory of this lovely lady can be made to her church - First Baptist Church; P. O. Box 70; Kosciusko, MS 39090. Sympathy cards should be addressed to: Jimmy and Randy Holloway; 33487 Attala Highway 19; West, MS 39192.
The Walking Horse Report joins the industry in expressing deepest sympathy in Miss Bernice's passing. To know this lady was to love her and have one's life touched deeply by her...and to have influenced and enriched as countless lives as she did sums up what a great lady Bernice Wedgeworth Holloway was, one who will live in the hearts of those blessed to have known her forever.