Mary Louise Malone Hollowell

Mary Louise Malone Hollowell, a lifetime resident of Oxford, died Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at her home, following a recent decline in health. She was 94.

A funeral service will be held at St. Andrew’s Church of Oxford on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 12:00 noon, with visitation held prior at the church at 11:00 A.M.

Mary Louise and her husband, James Melvin Hollowell (Jamer) were founding members of St. Andrew’s Church of Oxford where she served as president of the Women’s Circle and volunteered at the food pantry. She and Jamer spent lots of Saturdays on the Ole Miss campus selling football programs as a fundraiser for the church.

Mary Louise was a graduate of and cheerleader for University High School and she attended Ole Miss before her marriage to Jamer. For several years she served as a member of Oxford’s Welcome Wagon which greeted newcomers to Oxford. For many years she was an assistant librarian at Oxford Elementary School.

Mary Louise was known for her hospitality and welcomed family, friends and strangers into their home at a moment’s notice. There were always tea cakes in the cookie jar in case someone dropped by. Delicious pies, cakes, butter rolls, and cinnamon rolls were often on her menu and available for her to take to friends. Countless meals were enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to be seated at her dinner table. She took great interest in all her visitors, never failing to inquire about their families and always giving an encouraging word.

Mary Louise is survived by her younger sister Ollie Kate Malone Porter; two children: Rex Hollowell (Linda) and Leesa Hardin; three grandchildren, Emily Smith (Chris a/k/a Snuffy), Holly Spencer (Grant) and Josh Hardin (Anna); and seven great-grandchildren: Addison Davis, Emmy Spencer, Hardin Spencer, Wes Hardin Merritt Hardin, Michael Smith, and Devin Smith.

In addition to her immediate family, Mary Louise was especially blessed by her nephews Mike Stewart (Cathy), Bill Stewart (Maria), Peter Bliss Green, and nieces Anne Stewart Hyde, Kathryn Green Dawkins (Mike), and Susan Green Ahlrich (Randy).

Mary Louise was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Jamer, her sister-in-law Joanne Stewart (Bobby), and her son-in-law Paul Hardin.

The family is grateful to Cindy, Margaret, Kylie, Pam and Kim and Arden Hospice for their loving care provided to Mary Louise during the final decline of her health in this world.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Andrew’s Church of Oxford, 431 North 16th Street, Oxford, Mississippi, 38655, or a charity of one’s choosing.