Elizabeth Virginia Johnson Hollingsworth, age 35, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., joined the Lord in Heaven on the evening of April 12, 2008.
A native of Fort Walton Beach, Beth was born Aug. 17, 1972. She was a 1990 graduate of Fort Walton Beach High School, where she was a member of the marching and concert bands.
Beth worked as a licensed pharmacy technician while a student at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. She earned many perform-ance and bonus awards for her achievements. She received her bachelor of science degree in recreation from the University of South Alabama in 2002.
Beth, whose family nickname was Sunshine, was known to all she met as a positive personality who could find some good in everything. She endeared herself to people of all ages thanks to her positive and encouraging humor. Beth's charisma among those she met was fueled by her positive outlook on life, her selflessness and generosity and her unfailing ability to communicate her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
She was known for identifying "first timers" at the Emerald Coast Cancer Center and sharing the sage wisdom she acquired through more than six years of chemotherapy for cancer on how to cope, maintain a positive outlook and depend on the Lord for strength in the darkest hours of a battle with cancer.
Beth never questioned God as to why she was afflicted with breast cancer, but rather focused on the purpose for which God used her throughout the various stages of her illness. She received the 2007 American Cancer Society Courage Award for the Emerald Coast Unit, Florida Division.
Beth was a devout Christian and an active member in the Bible study classes of First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach. She was also a member of the Christian Life Center Committee that oversaw the construction of the Church's recently completed Christian Life Center.
There have been countless Prayer Warriors and church groups throughout the nation and overseas that regularly supported Beth through their intercessory prayers and good deeds. The family also wants to thank her employer and colleagues at Emerald Coast Hearing Associates who showed ultimate compassion throughout Beth's illness, frequently gathering in their "Prayer Room" to pray for God's help during Beth's many challenges. Beth had a very special relationship with all the doctors, nurses and support staff at the Emerald Coast Cancer Center.
Fun for Beth was defined as being with her family. She took Brooke to Washington, D.C., in July 2007, where she and Brooke received a personal tour of the White House arranged by the Executive Office of the President. Beth received a personal letter of encouragement signed by President Bush, and Brooke received a letter of welcome from President and Mrs. Bush.
Beth was a patriot who loved her country and exhibited a strong personal support for our military personnel. She loved to shop and "save a lot," collect Longaberger Baskets and Vera Bradley purses, especially those patterns with a green motif or breast cancer pattern. Most importantly, Beth treasured her family and was a wonderful wife and loving mother.
Beth leaves her legacy and cherished memories to her loving husband, Robert Cale Hollingsworth of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; her beautiful daughter, Natalea Brooke Hollingsworth of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; her parents, Douglas Milton Johnson and Henrietta Farmer Johnson of Mary Esther, Fla.; her sister, Amanda Lea Bollenbach and her husband, Douglas Carl Bollenbach and their twin sons, Jacob and Alexander Bollenbach of Shalimar, Fla.; her maternal grandparents, John and Syble Farmer of Greenville, Ala.; mother- and father-in-law Diane and Robert Hollingsworth of Spanish Fort, Ala.; and a large number of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family will welcome friends and well-wishers from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2008, in the First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach Worship Center. A celebration of Beth's life and her love for the Lord will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2008, in the church Worship Center with Dr. Howard L. Gates officiating. Interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery.
Flowers are welcome, as are donations in Beth's mem-ory to the American Cancer Society, 339 Racetrack Road NW, Suite 24, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547; the First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach, 31 First St. SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; or Covenant Hospice, 101 Hart St., Niceville, FL 32578.
To share memories, offer condolences and sign the guestbook please visit www.daviswatkins.com.
(Northwest Florida Daily News April 14, 2008)