Lisa Carol Hollingsworth Wilson


Lisa Carol Hollingsworth Wilson, 48, died peacefully at her home Sunday morning, Aug. 24, ending a valiant struggle with a long illness.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Jasper, with Brother Sam Booker and Bob Samford officiating with burial to follow at Holton Cemetery in Beech Grove.

Born Dec. 31, 1959, in Jasper, as the second child of John & Carol Hollingsworth, she grew up in Jasper, attending local schools and working for her father's business, Hollingsworth Insurance Agency, on the downtown square. She later became a certified insurance agent, becoming a valued expert in writing quotes and policies. Her family became well known for providing attentive, caring service to each customer who walked in the door.

Although Lisa and her future husband grew up in the same small town, their paths had never crossed in school. While visiting Beaumont with her best friend, Tracy and husband Anthony, a young man named Jeff Wilson noticed her from across the room and decided at that moment that he was going to marry that lovely young woman. When he asked her for her phone number, he asked if she could write it down on a piece of paper. She replied that if he couldn't memorize her number, then he didn't need to know it.

Although he did memorize Lisa's number, Jeff didn't call her back immediately. Lisa didn't realize at the time that Jeff worked on an offshore oil rig for weeks at a time and had been visiting Beaumont on a brief leave. When he returned home, the first thing he did was give her a call. The two married Nov. 19, 1983 almost 25 years ago, she was my best friend as well as my wife he will tell you.

On Nov. 3, 1991 they were blessed to welcome their pride and joy Macy Michelle into their family. Lisa enjoyed many hours watching her being a cheer leader and playing in the band.

After her parents decided to retire, Lisa and Jeff bought out the Insurance Agency, later moving it to West Gibson and changing the name to Wilson Insurance Agency. It continued to thrive, due in great part to Lisa's welcoming manner and warm smile.

In 2005, Lisa was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although she was able to remain physically active for several years, she became homebound in the last few months of her life. With her devoted husband and daughter, her parents, and later her nephew Trent Whitehead, by her side, family members and friends tag-teamed to make daily visits to keep her appraised of news and events.

An avid reader who "read everything," as she said and loved to discuss books, Lisa also was an avid gardener and animal lover. At one time, her family's menagerie included horses, cattle, turkeys, geese, chickens, dogs and cats. She extended particular kindness to the family's last remaining hen, a Rhode Island Red named Henny Penny. Henny Penny was known to pass the time settled in Lisa's lap, clucking contentedly for hours before depositing an egg as payment for the day's end. On family outings, she was an enthusiastic outdoorswoman. Every Sunday she donned her Tony Romo jersey, ready to cheer on her favorite pro football team, the Dallas Cowboys.

Survivors include her husband, Jeff Wilson, of Jasper; her daughter, Macy Wilson, of Jasper; her parents, John & Carol Hollingsworth, of Jasper; her brother, John Clark Hollingsworth, of Berkley, CA; her father - and mother in-law, J. M. and Beverly Wilson, of Jasper; brothers - and sisters-in-law Mike & Becky Wilson, Theresa Woosley, and Steve and Judy Wilson, all of Jasper; special friend Tracy Folsom and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers were Jeffrey Wilson, Trent Whitehead, Brady Whitehead, Matt Wilson, Ryan Woosley and Colton Folsom. Honorary pallbearers were Griffin Whitehead, Mark Teague, Jesse Brewster and Mike Kinnear.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jasper Lakes Area Humane Society; P.O. Box 1104; Jasper, Texas 75951.

Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home of Jasper.