Mary Ellen Woods Holyfield

Mary Ellen Woods Holyfield, age 85, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, went home to Jesus peacefully in her sleep Saturday morning, August 24, 2024. She was born on August 30, 1938, in Yalobusha County, MS to John (Morris) and Ruby Ellen Edwards Woods. She married the love of her life, Clyde Holyfield, on May 8, 1960. 

Mary was preceded in death by both of her parents Morris and Ruby Woods, her infant sister Edna Marie Woods, her older brother Gene Woods, and her beloved husband of 53 years, Clyde Holyfield. Mary is survived by her three children Melissa Holyfield Swanson (Bob) of Brighton, CO; Michael Holyfield (Patsy) of Raleigh, MS; Sandra Holyfield Carmichael (Tony) of Coffeeville, MS; her twelve grandchildren Elizabeth, Mathew (Katie), Reagan (Victoria), Derrick, Bryan (Hannah), Clinton, Shelby, Grace (Luke), Carissa (DC), Caleb (Melanie), Rachel, and Jacob; twenty-two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lynn (Pat) Woods and Larry (Susan) Woods; two sisters, Betty Woods Strickland (Leon) and Ann Woods Bridges (Carl); her Aunt Marjorie Reid; many cousins, nieces and nephews; and numerous friends and loved ones. 

Mary was a 1956 graduate of Water Valley High School in Water Valley, MS, and was class Salutatorian. After high school, she moved to Jackson, MS, where she studied to become a paralegal. After her marriage, she moved to Simpson County, MS, where she and her husband ran a dairy farm and raised their children. Mary was a successful paralegal for many years and enjoyed playing tennis when her children were older. She loved to travel and go on fishing trips with Clyde. She could drive a milk truck, haul cows and bulls, run a farm, and a trucking business, and hug and love on babies like a pro. She loved her home and her Church family in Magee and was sad to leave when they moved to Coffeeville in 2004. She took to her new life there well and became a faithful member of Coffeeville Church of Christ for many years. She loved her brothers and sisters in Christ deeply. She also enjoyed her husband's gardening skills, all the fruits and vegetables he grew, and knew how to give them away, put them up, as well as cook them up. Everyone enjoyed eating them up! She was especially fond of roses and proud of the ones her honey gave her and grew for her over the years. They resided in Coffeeville until his passing in 2013 and then moved to Oxford and made her home at Ellison Assisted Living, in Oxford, MS in 2015. Once again she took on a new challenge with hope. Mary made many friends with workers and residents and enjoyed playing rook, but mostly talking and spending time with them all. While she spent much time with people, she especially loved time with the Lord in prayer, His Word, and singing hymns. She loved having her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and others visit, and receiving calls, messages, cards, and photos from her many loved ones. 

A service to celebrate Mary’s abundant life will be held at Coffeeville church of Christ, Coffeeville, MS on Tuesday, August 27th, with a time of visitation at 10 AM and the service following at 11 AM. Brother Don Roberson, and Mary's son, Michael Holyfield will be officiating. 

Mary’s faith in God shaped her life, and her desire was for her loved ones to share her faith in Jesus. She would often say, “I just need to be thankful and make the best of whatever God gives me.” She would want all family and friends to rejoice that she is now in her eternal home with Jesus. She will be missed, but her legacy of faith will live on for years to come for those who loved and cherished her. 

Flowers of remembrance may be sent to Coffeeville Church of Christ in Coffeeville, MS.