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Ellen Cox Holliman

July 2, 1930 - November 5, 2017
Avilla, IN

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Life Story / Obituary


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Truly beautiful on this inside and out, Ellen Cox Holliman was a blessing to everyone she met. Her unwavering faith was the compass she used to direct her steps, and she loved nothing more than sharing with others the reason for the joy that was in her heart. Ellen had a friendly and gracious heart, and with her contagious zest for life she drew others near with ease. She loved traveling, but what made her travels so special was sharing her adventures with family and friends. Life will never be the same without Ellen here, but she leaves behind a timeless collection of memories that her family and friends will forever hold near and dear to their hearts.

Life was anything but easy during the 1930s as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, and countless American families were left with no choice but to do whatever they could to weather the storm even if it meant that they picked up and moved to a new town. Amidst this eventful time was a time of great anticipation in the lives of Howard Christopher and Arlene May (Wooster) Parks as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby as July appeared on the horizon in 1930. The big day finally arrived on July 2nd when the baby girl they named Ellen Arlene drew her first breath. She was one of nine children as she was joined in the Parks family by her siblings, Gerald, Helen, Jeanette, Clifford, Ruth, Donald, Forrest, and Richard. Born on the family farm near Kendallville, Indiana, she was a typical young girl of her generation. Ellen attended local schools and graduated from Avilla High School in 1948. Shortly thereafter, she took a job in Indianapolis.

New and exciting changes were in store for Ellen when she met the young man with whom she would share more than 45 years of her life. His name was Sidney Roberts Cox, and it wasn’t long after meeting that the couple found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Ellen and Sid were married on February 17, 1952. Throughout the majority of their married life, they made their home in Gadsden, Alabama, but they also had a home in Venice, Florida. While living in Alabama, Ellen worked as a secretary at B.F. Goodrich for several years.

Over the years, Ellen held her faith close to her heart. She was an active member of the Methodist church, and she also became a Methodist lay minister. Ellen was known for her deep and personal relationship with her awesome God. She loved reading her Bible and daily devotionals, and she frequently watched sermons on television. Ellen’s primary desire was to see others claim Him as their Lord and Savior, and she always had a relevant song or scripture to share with anyone who was near. She was forever looking for every opportunity to pray over others. When her first husband died in 1997, it was Ellen’s faith that brought her such comfort.

Throughout her life Ellen was a busy woman who had many interests. She was an avid reader who loved poetry and memorizing and quoting scriptures. Ellen also enjoyed singing the old hymns of faith, listening to talk radio, and caring for her flower gardens and bird feeders. She loved cutting hair and often called herself a barber. During her younger years, Ellen was a private airplane pilot, and she also liked ballroom dancing. She had a beautiful singing voice and sang many solos at funerals and church gatherings. Throughout the majority of her life, Ellen loved traveling. In fact, just weeks before her death she still drove hours to visit family and friends who lived out of state.

There was never anything that was of greater significance to Ellen than the people around her. Three years after the death of her husband, she was blessed to find love again with a man named H. Bishop Holliman, and they were united in marriage on July 8, 2000, in Gadsden, Alabama. Ellen and Bishop lived in Tennessee and later moved to Avilla, Indiana. She was a doting "Auntie Ellen" to her numerous nieces and nephews. Ellen was known for telling them, "You're one of mine.” She loved getting together with her loved ones, and she was always planning the next Parks family gathering. Ellen loved and spoiled her little dog named BB. He went almost everywhere with her, and Ellen walked him several times daily in Avilla. It was also on their many walks that she had some of her most precious moments as they were spent in prayer.

All who knew Ellen Cox Holliman would agree that no one met her and left unchanged. She lived to honor the Lord she loved, and her life was a living example of what it means to be His hands and feet. Ellen had a friendly heart and loved greeting family and friends with an inviting smile. Always looking to share her faith, she had more than enough encouraging words, hugs, and kisses to go around. Ellen will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Ellen Arlene (Parks) Cox Holliman, died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 5, 2017,a at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ellen’s family includes her husband, Bishop Holliman of Avilla; sister-in-law, Helen Parks of Avilla; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Step children; Glenn Holliman, Becky Payne, and Alice Murphy. Ellen was preceded in death by her eight siblings, Gerald (Nelda) Parks, Helen (Ed) Fritz, Jeanette (Harry) Henney, Clifford (JoAnn) Parks, Ruth Parks, Donald Parks, Forrest (Monna) Parks, and Richard Parks. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 9, 2017, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, 125 Cherry Street in Avilla. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 10, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the church with calling one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Jared L. Parks, great nephew and minister of the Assembly of God Church in Terre Haute, Indiana and Rev. Shalimar Holderly, minister of Calvary United Methodist Church in Avilla will officiate the funeral service. Burial will follow at Avilla Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Big Oak Ranch (boy’s home) in Gadsden, Alabama, a ministry Ellen was very passionate about.Share your favorite memory or send a condolence at hitefuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home of Kendallville.

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