Oneta Fern Aldridge Holloway, 91, of Springfield, passed away Saturday, July 20, 2019.
She was born Nov. 18, 1927, in Texas County, daughter of Luther and Tennie Ice Aldridge. She and Claude Nipper were married in 1948. She and James Kissock were married in 1951. She and Leonard Holloway were married in 1959.
She was an educator. She began her teaching career in the Grogan one-room schoolhouse with grades first through eighth. She taught children in Texas and Howell counties before retiring in 1979 from Willow Springs Elementary School.
She often spent winters in Texas, Florida and Arizona with her husband, Leonard. She enjoyed playing games and visiting with friends while vacationing. When home, she loved fishing local ponds and lakes.
She was passionate about baseball and softball, even coaching her church’s softball team through several undefeated seasons. Later in life, she became an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
She was also passionate about her church and her relationship with Christ. She took pleasure in reading her Bible daily and regularly attended First Freewill Baptist in Cabool, where she was actively involved in a variety of church activities until her move to Springfield. While there, she attended Southern Heights Bible Church and enjoyed many lasting friendships.
She was preceded in death by her husbands; parents; and five siblings, Juanita Aldridge Irish, Herman Aldridge, Laveta Aldridge Kelley, Thurman Aldridge and infant Martha Sue Aldridge.
Survivors include four children Glenda Malam of Springfield, James Kissock of Holts Summit, Tennie J. Phinney of Rogersville and Nita Collins of Cabool; 16 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
A celebration of life is 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at Elliott-Gentry-Carder Funeral Home, Cabool. Burial will be in Ozark Cemetery, Houston.
