LTC. Martin Luther Hollis Jr., 83, passed away Tuesday, December 01, 2015 at The Meadows in Fulton after a brief illness. He was born September 16, 1932, the son of Martin Sr. and Effie Crossley Hollis. Martin joined the Mississippi National Guard at an early age in Amory as a member of the 198th Tank Battalion. He was a veteran of the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Alabama and at some point became Public Relations Officer for the Alabama National Guard based in Montgomery. In 1962, M.L. moved from Montgomery as a First Lieutenant and became the first commander of the Army Aviation Support Facility in Tupelo, retiring after 25 years of service. M.L. enjoyed flying at an early age and was a fixed wing and helicopter pilot for many years. He enjoyed photography, traveling, and was a retired gunsmith.
Services will be 11 am Friday at the Lee Memorial Chapel with Dr. Greg Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Ollie Rose Hollis of Tupelo; 2 children, Mark Hollis (Jorie) of San Mateo, CA and Cean Hollis Smith (Jeff) of California; 4 step-children, John Grant of Florence, MS, Sherri Bowlen and Jan Grant, both of Greenville, SC, and Bob Grant (Lisa) of Tupelo; 7 grandchildren, Cierra Smith, Blake Smith, Alex Hollis, Hayden Grant, Erin Bowlen, John D. Grant, and Michael Grant.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Flavous Hollis; and a sister, Dorothy Vinson.
Visitation will be 4-7 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.
