Gladys Eunice (Sullivan) Hollars was born May 6, 1927, departing this life Friday, January 16, 2015 after having reached the age of 87. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Henrietta (Poe) Sullivan.

On December 31, 1945, she was united in marriage to Odie Dallas Hollars, a union which ultimately produced 9 children; though, in reality, most would claim that she was a mother to all who met her. Odie and Gladys were married for 67 1/2 years, and were loved dearly by all who knew them. Perhaps lacking in money, lacking in earthly riches, what Gladys NEVER lacked was a deep, abiding faith in her Lord, and possessed a love for her children, grandchildren, and family that far surpassed anything most of us even get to witness during this walk of life. Indeed, having raised such a large family, and having worked so hard to build a house of worship for her Lord - all the while never ceasing in her work as a dedicated companion to her husband during his lifelong ministry - she achieved more in her time here in this world than most of us could ever dream. Gladys Hollars was an inspiration to all of us with her simple - and yet profound - faith, love, compassion, courage, and strength of heart. See, Gladys was more then simply a 'pastor's wife': she was the very cornerstone of her husband Odie's ministry, and a devoted member of the church in her own right - having literally helped build Piney Woods Mission from the ground up...TWICE.


She is survived by: children, Phyllis Winfrey (Junior), Michael Hollars (Dimple), Patricia Crisostomo, Carolyn Johnson (Mark), Mitchell Hollars (Cheryl), Steve Hollars (Sherry), Sharon Kresen, and Tim Hollars; 1 son-in-law, Jack Abramson; 12 grandchildren, Pam Coffey (Sam), Shawna Pyles (Wayne), Phillip Crisostomo (Heather), Olivia Crisostomo, Joshua Kresen, Amber Hollars, Michele Eno (Steve), Sean Hollars (Heather), Daniel Hollars, Mark Johnson, Savannah Johnson, and Charles Kresen; 5 step grandchildren, Jenifer Lester, Stephanie Lester, Sherry Abramson, Ann Fender, and Laura Abramson; 16 great grandchildren, Jessica Mason (Frank), Jacob Coffey, Michael Glen Troxell, McKenna Hollars, Halen Pharis, Kaylee Hollars, Kadan Hollars, Nate Pyles, Grayson Sweet, Hayden Hollars, Isabella Crisostomo, Benjamin Eno, Gavin Hollars, Conner Eno, Camden Hollars, and Gabe Pyles; step grandchildren: J.W. Gregory, Kenzey Gregory, Morgan Burchette, Mason Lester, Michelle Mandley, Sean Bubeck, and Alisha Abramson; 2 great-great grandchild, Levi Mason and Emma Faith Mason; and 3 step great-great grandchildren, Julia and Alex Mandley, and LeeAnn Brummett. She is also survived by: 1 brother, Arvin Sullivan.


In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: her husband Odie; 1 daughter, Neta Abramson; 1 grandson, Michael "Mikie" Hollars; 1 step grandchild, Jeff Abramson; 2 great grandchildren, Alex Hollars and Haley Hollars; 5 brothers, Oliver, Audie, Ottis, Chesley, and Junior Sullivan.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 19, 2015 from 5 – 9 pm in the chapel of the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 20 at 11 am at the Hicks-Vaughn Funeral Home with Bro. Danny Bell and Bro. Danny Leffew officiating. Burial will be in Piney Woods Mission Church Cemetery.