Melissa "Lish" Holliman

Melissa Smith began her journey through life on May 11, 1927 in Clark County, Arkansas. “Lish” as she was known to many was the last surviving child of Gaston and Pearline Johnson Smith. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age and united with Pleasant Hill AME Church where she was a lifelong member. “Lish” was a gifted and talented woman who spent several years working for prominent families in Arkadelphia. Melissa met and married Berlin “Johnny” Holliman on March 6, 1952 and together they shared a full and complete life. She was an avid hunter who loved to fish and garden. Together Johnny and Lish would spend countless hours sitting by the water fishing or tracking through the woods hunting. Although they had no children of their own, they cherished their nieces and nephews like children. She was a loving aunt to many. On September 20, 2009 after 57 years of life together Johnny transitioned from time into eternity. She was a homemaker and had a passion for making Christmas wreaths. Her beautiful and creative designs enhanced the spirit of Christmas for many businesses and families. To know her was to love her and she will be deeply missed. She passed quietly into the Lord’s embrace on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Courtyard Gardens. Melissa was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Berlin Holliman and six brothers, Brodie Tippin, Billy Joe Perry, Charles Perry, Lewis Smith, Wheatie Tippin and Freeman Perry; four sisters, Henrietta Smith, Queen Ester Moore, Virginia Perry and Lizzie Mae Bullock. Her love and sweet spirit will live on with several nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the Pleasant Hill AME Church family. Mrs. Holliman will lie in repose at the funeral home on Friday, February 21st from 1-6 p.m. The last farewell will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at 11:00 a.m. Pleasant Hill AME Church. Rev. Rex Smith will officiate with Rev. Thomas Brazil as celebrant. The interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.