Hollis Isbell of Muscle Shoals, AL, a retired farmer, businessman, and cotton industry leader passed from this life on April 10th, at the age of 92. He was surrounded by family as he peacefully entered his Heavenly home and was reunited with his precious wife, Mittie.
Growing up he attended Valley Grove Baptist Church, and it was there as a 19-year-old boy that he accepted Christ as his Savior. After his marriage to Mildred Joy (Mittie) Gargis Isbell, he moved his membership to Woodward Avenue Baptist Church to join Mittie, where they raised their family, worshiped, and served together for 61 years. Upon his death he was a member of Woodmont Baptist Church. He lived a full and rewarding life, treasuring his walk with the Lord, his family, his friends, his life on the farm, and a lifetime of special memories.
To his grandchildren, close friends, and a host of special cotton industry friends across the cotton belt he was affectionately known as Poppie. He was a 1950 graduate of Colbert County High School.
He is survived by two children; Neal Isbell (Debbie) and Madonna Choat (Gerald). He is survived by seven grandchildren: Todd Isbell (Melinda), Shane Isbell (Misty), Bryant Isbell, Julie Hargett (Chris), Christopher Isbell (Amista), Holli McGuire (Chris), Cale Choat (Paige). He is survived by 16 great-grandchildren: Ellie Watson (Dalton), Emma Cozart (Tom), Avery Isbell, Nevie Isbell, Sophie Isbell, Tyler Isbell, Cooper Hargett, Banks Hargett, Ciara Cameron, Carter Cameron, Jolee Isbell, Alli Isbell, Braxton Lindsey, Eli Lindsey, Rosalie Choat, and Shepherd Choat. He is survived by 2 great-great-grandchildren; Charlotte Watson and Tripp Cozart.
He was preceded in death by his precious wife of 67 years, Mittie and his son Richard (Chigger) Isbell; parents, Lonnie and Mary Ellen Pace Isbell; sister, Flossie Pace; brother-in-law, Luther Pace; and brother, Reedious Isbell.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Todd, Shane, Bryant and Christopher Isbell, Dr. Chris Hargett, and Chris McGuire.
His visitation will be on April 12th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Woodmont Baptist Church, Florence, AL with the service to follow at 2:00 PM officiated by Dr. Tom Whatley, Brother Chad Hess, and Brother Jerry Rea.
Hollis was a successful cotton, grain, and livestock farmer that spent a lifetime enjoying his life on the farm where he never considered farming as work. At 92, he witnessed the 6th generation of Isbells begin to take over the family operation. He dedicated more than 20 years of his life in voluntary service and leadership to agriculture and the cotton industry. He never sought leadership roles but was selected to serve by his fellow cotton producer friends. His service to agriculture started in Colbert County where he was a past member of the ASCS committee and the Colbert County Farmer’s Federation. For several years, he was a member of the Alabama Cotton Committee and the Alabama Cotton Commission and was a past Chairman of both committees. He was the past President and Chairman of the Board of Southern Cotton Growers. He served many years as a producer delegate to the National Cotton Council and was a past member of the Board of Directors. He was a longtime member and past Chairman of the American Cotton Producer’s Committee.
In 1992, he was awarded a citation of service from the research and marketing programs of Cotton Incorporated. He was named one of the 20 most influential people in the Shoals in 1996. In 2001, he was the winner of the Cotton Achievement Award presented by the American Cotton Producers. In 2002, he was commended by a resolution by the Alabama House of Representatives for his leadership on behalf of the cotton industry in Alabama. In 2003, he received the Community Appreciation Award from the city of Muscle Shoals and the Muscle Shoals Police Department. In 2005, he received an award for outstanding contributions to the Alabama Extension Service. In 2012, he was the recipient of the prestigious Cotton Producer Recognition Award, and he was commended by the Alabama House and Senate for a lifetime of service to agriculture. On February 13th, 2024, he was inducted into the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor and was commended by the Alabama House and Senate for this award.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. William Heaton, Dr. Felix Morris and the medical staff at North Alabama Medical Center, Dr. Brad McAnalley and the medical staff at Helen Keller Hospital, Enhabit Home Health Care, Hospice of North Alabama, and the excellent sitters who took such great care of him during his brief illness, Ashlee, Paige D., Clarissa, Paige H., and Sabrina.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, stjude.org/donate.
