Barbara Maxine Holifield, born December 20, 1923 in Duchan Camp, Jasper County, MS, went to be with the Lord on Christmas Day 2011 in Meridian. She moved to Laurel, MS as a small child, where she raised her family and lived until 2009 when she relocated to Aldersgate Assisted Living in Meridian.

Mrs. Holifield graduated from George S. Gardiner High School and was a devoted member of Heritage Heights (Second Avenue) Baptist Church in Laurel. She was also a member of many civic organizations, including Number 24 Eastern Star and The Business and Professional Women's Club. She loved gardening, shopping and music, especially Christmas carols but most of all, she loved her family.

Mrs. Holifield served Jones County in the Tax Assessor/Tax Collector's office for over forty years. During this career, she was elected as County Tax Assessor & Collector for four consecutive terms before her retirement in 1987. Over the course of those years, she had the pleasure of meeting and assisting an incredible number of people in Jones County. She was extremely devoted to her job, to those that worked with her and to the citizens of the county.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Obera Ray (Bill) Holifield, and her parents, Stephen Douglas and Hattie Louise Brogan, all of Laurel. She was also preceded in death by four siblings; Dorothy Brogan Bradford of Laurel, William Douglas (Billy) Brogan of Meridian, Mary Brogan Parker of Laurel and Norma Brogan Johnston of Jackson; and one granddaughter, Carrie Ann Holifield of Ellisville.

She is survived by her sons Michael R. (Mickey) Holifield of Ellisville and Steve Holifield and his wife Ann of Meridian. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Shannon R. Holifield and wife Kristy of Stringer, Heather Holifield of Meridian and Holly Holifield Rogers and husband Charlie of Hattiesburg. Additionally, she is survived by three great grandchildren, Madeline Holifield and Emily Holifield of Stringer and Charles Louis Rogers IV of Hattiesburg plus many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 28th at 11:00 A.M. at Memory Chapel in Laurel. The funeral will follow at 1:00 P.M. with burial at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Laurel with Reverend Ken Regan of Laurel officiating.

Pallbearers are her nephews Tommy Brogan of Meridian, Jackie Brogan of Grenada, MS, Donnie and Mark Brogan of Laurel, and Jay and Stephen Johnston of Jackson. Honorary pallbearers are her nephews Douglas Bradford of Covington, LA and Gary and Ronnie Parker of Laurel.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Aldersgate Senior Services, PO Box 3846, Meridian, MS 39303. Memory Chapel is in charge of services.

Granddaughter Carrie Ann Holifield