Edna Holly

Edna Ellen (Wilson) Holly, age 89, of Ocala, FL passed away surrounded by her family at Cates Hospice
House of Marion County on Friday, September 3, 2021. Edna was born in Hammond, Indiana, on a cold
and snowy day, February 19, 1932, at 3:30 in the afternoon, to Harold A Wilson and Maude E (Rollins)
Wilson. She was raised in Indiana with her siblings Altha, Pearl, Wilbur, Helen, and Ruth. She had twin
siblings lost at birth, Mary and Marion. Edna often spoke of her wonderful childhood memories and
remarked often that she had the best momma a girl could ever ask for. Edna enjoyed listening to music
and singing and playing the accordion on the radio as a young child. She loved to dance, especially the
polka, and met her future husband while enjoying an evening at the USO club with her sister. Edna
married George Franklin Holly Jr. on January 16, 1952, in Texas. Edna became a devoted military wife
and mother, blessing the Holly family with 6 children, 19 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 2
great-great grandchildren. Edna was an avid crocheter, loved to put together intricate puzzles, enjoyed
all types of card games, and enjoyed cooking for her family. Edna and George, being a military family,
traveled to many of the 50 states as well as being stationed as a family in Africa. Edna enjoyed many
jobs in her youth, and in addition to being a stay-at-home mother, the highlight of her early years was
driving a school bus for students from the Ocala National Forest to Vanguard High School. Edna
attended many churches in Marion County. At the end of her life, she attended Living Waters, and since
being homebound, was a faithful listener to Pastor Stanley’s daily preaching. Edna loved the Lord with
all her heart and felt that He allowed her to remain on this Earth to pray for her friends and family and
teach her many grandchildren about building a strong relationship with Jesus. Edna will be remembered
by all that met her as a woman who loved with her whole heart, was filled with a feisty wit, and was
known to cause a bit of ruckus wherever she went. She brought a smile with her wherever she traveled,
and prided herself on timeliness, tight budgets, and impeccable record keeping.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband, son George Franklin Holly III, and
granddaughter Mallory, as well as many other family members. She is lovingly survived by her children,
Edna Marie Gelpi, Brenda Kay Perron (Rene), Debra Sue Poole, Donna Rae Holly Hagler, and Donald
James (DJ) Holly. Grandchildren include Kendra Francisco, Kendrich Gelpi, Micah Perron (Caryn), Melissa
Perron, George Franklin (Frankie) Holly 4th, Crystal Marie Holly, Jordan, Keith Poole (Lesli), Rebecca
Westgate (Timothy), Sarah Livingston (Justin), Hezekiah Wade, Zachariah Wade (Viktoria), Nehemiah
Winfield, Naomi Winfield, Mariah McCrary, Marcus Hagler, Donovan Holly, and Ashlynne Holly. Great
grandchildren include Timothy (Drew) Roark (Isis), Ysabela Roark, Benjamin Roark, Hannah Perron,
Emma Perron, Mikayla Perron, Kalyn Poole, Kyler Poole, Kayman Poole, Makenzie Westgate, Ashlyn
Westgate, Alexis Westgate, Noah Westgate, Jonah Westgate, Olivia Westgate, Elliott Westgate, Declan
Westgate, Emma Corbett, Alex Corbett, Abigail Corbett, Levi Corbett, Olivia Livingston, Chance
Livingston, Jermiah Wade, Saniah Wade, Amiyah Winfield, and great-great grandchildren Oasis and
Orion.
A service will be held at Ocklawaha Bridge Baptist Church on Friday, September 10th at 9am. The family
will receive friends at the church for the graveside service and reception. In leu of flowers, please
donate in Edna’s name to Hospice of Marion County.