Dr. Richard Shelton “Pete” Hollis

Listen to this obituary

Amory— Dr. Richard Shelton Hollis (“Pete”) entered his heavenly home on Monday, March 29, 2021. The third son of the late Peter Miller Carlisle Hollis and Nelle York Hollis entered this world in Amory, MS on June 14, 1927 as a home delivery. He graduated from Amory High school, spent the summer of 1945 in the U.S. Navy then enrolled at Mississippi State College where he received his BS degree. While there, he served as vice-president of the Beta Beta Beta Science Fraternity, President of A.E.D., Premedical Fraternity, was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega, National Honorary Fraternity, and President of the Science School.

He entered Tulane Medical School where he received his M.D. Degree. While there, he was President of the Phi Chi Pledge Class, President of the freshman class, Vice-President of the Senior Class, President of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity, member of the Medical Pan-Hellenic Council, and was inducted into the Tulane Hall of Fame. He completed an internship and a three year OBN/GYN residency in the Tulane Service at Charity Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana. This began his journey in a profession he dearly loved and in which he delivered approximately 7,500 babies and performed approximately 10,000 operations.

Dr. Hollis then served two years in the U.S. Air Force. Following his service in the U. S. Air Force he began his private practice in Tuscaloosa, AL before returning to his beloved home town of Amory where he practiced from March 1, 1960 until his retirement June 30, 1996. While there, he and Dr. W.H. Stockton established the Physicians and Surgeons Clinic. They were later recognized by the Amory/North Monroe Chamber of Commerce as the Salute to Industry for the major impact the clinic had on the community.

Concern for the delivery of quality of health care for all women led him into organizations that had influence over these issues. In doing so, he served on the Board of Northeast MS Health Plan Council of the ARC 1968-1976, Chair of Three Rivers Subarea Council of the HAS, a Medical Representative in the Presidential Public Forum on Domestic Policy under President Ford, a member of the Searle Alliance for Health Care, and was a member of the National Health Policy Council under President and Mrs. Clinton, President of the Northeast MS Medical Society 1973, President of the MS State OB/GYN Society 1976, Chair of MS ACOG Section 1979-1982, Chair of District VII ACOG 1988-1991, and President of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 1993-1994.

His commitment to Amory involved him in the Chamber of Commerce. He served as a representative to Governor Waller’s Conference on Education and was chair of the National Library Week in Amory in 1978. Having achieved the rank Eagle Scout in his youth, he later served as an adult in many positions including serving as Medical Advisor for the Pushmataha Area Council.

In 1982 he was selected as Doctor of the Year by the American Association of Medical Assistants, MS Society, and in 1984 was named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Amory Junior Auxiliary. A 20 million dollar Women’s Center at Gilmore Memorial Hospital was dedicated and named for Dr. Richard S. Hollis on February 24, 2002. He was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for the Medical Class of 1952 by the Tulane Medical Alumni Association on May 19, 2002.

His love and loyalty to the First United Methodist Church in Amory led him into nearly every position a lay person could fill, including 7 years as chair of the Finance Committee and three separate terms as Chair of the Administrative Board. Although he was a devout Methodist, he appreciated a good sermon regardless of the denomination. This was obvious with his admiration of Dr. Allen Simpson.

His church commitment led him into involvement with the Methodist-Le Bonheur Health Care System where he served 12 years as a Member of the Board of Trustees and 14 years as a member of the Board of Directors filling the position as Chair of the Board from 2004-2006. He was the first physician to ever hold this office.

The Tennessee Hospital Association presented him the Meritorious Service Award in 2007. The Methodist Health Care System recognized him with Their Living Award. He served as a Clinical Professor in the OB/GYN Department of the University of Mississippi for 15 year as residents rotated through Amory, demonstrating his continued commitment to education.
He was a member of many medical societies but considered himself to have been highly honored when he became one of only three U.S. Obstetricians/Gynecologists to be honored with a membership in the Fothergill Society of England.

He firmly believed the Lord had directed him into medicine and he knew the best patients in the world were in Northeast MS and Northwest AL where he considered it a privilege to be involved in their health care. He could celebrate with them, cry with them, talk and council with them.
The very greatest blessing the Lord ever gave him was “Weesie”, his wife and life time companion. They were blessed with three fine sons. His love for his family extended to many cousins which were easily recognized every other year at the Hollis Family reunion held in Amory and orchestrated by Weesie. In addition to this reunion, Dr. Hollis and Weesie always hosted an annual Easter Egg hunt for children of their family, fellow church members and close friends.

A professed Christian, he firmly believed whatever, if anything he had accomplished or he had been recognized for was the result of the Lord acting through him. He was known to frequently state that the middle letter in the word sin was I and no one should take personal credit for any accomplishment or recognition. Having lived a full and most enjoyable life on earth, he did wonder what the Lord had for him to do in Heaven.

Dr. Hollis is survived by his wife of 68 years, Eloise Cappel Hollis; sons, Richard Shelton Hollis, Jr (Jeanne), Peter Randolph Hollis (Margie) and Paul Cappel Hollis (Laura); 9 grandchildren, Eloise Bowen Hollis Cook (James), Martha Cappel Hollis Williams (Garner), Richard Shelton Hollis, III, Peter Smith Hollis (Niki), Martha Claire Hollis Breland (Quin), Kathryn Hollis Mallette (Drew), Rebecca Hollis Dalovisio (Andy), Julia Rodgers Clark (Jordan), and Ellen Rodgers Daniels (Greg), and 16 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Peter Miller Hollis and Henry Lowe Hollis.

A celebration of life service for Dr. Hollis will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday, April 5, 2021 at the Amory First United Methodist Church with Rev. Wesley Pepper and Dr. Allen Simpson officiating. His grandsons, grandsons-in-law and cousin Dr Bert Eichold will serve as his pallbearers. Burial will follow in the Amory Historical Society Cemetery, Amory, MS.
Visitation for Dr. Hollis will be from 12:30 P.M. until the service hour at the church on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 147, Amory, MS 38821

Please share your condolences and memories with his family at eepicklefuneralhome.com