Barbara S. Hollingshead

Barbara Susan Harris Hollingshead, of Dawsonville, GA, formerly of Ellenville, NY, went home to her Lord on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, she was 85.  Barb was born on June 2, 1938, the youngest of 3 children, to Joseph and Leah Harris in Winchester, Indiana.  She was active in her school and enjoyed her years of cheerleading.  She was even crowned Randolph County Pumpkin Queen in the Pumpkin Parade! Upon graduating in 1956, she entered Purdue University, but God had other plans.  She began attending a campus bible study, and soon gave her life to Christ!  She felt the call to go to bible school, and left Purdue to study at Emmaus Bible School in Illinois.  Here she met William J. Hollingshead, the man she would marry and share her life and ministry with.  Barb and Bill were married on June 4, 1960, in Highland Falls, NY.  Bill continued his studies at Emmaus, and in 1962 they answered the call to be missionaries and moved to Quebec, Canada with their 2 small children.  They served there until 1969 and moved back to the states with their now 5 children, landing in Vermont for a time. In 1973, they again answered the call to ministry, and moved to Wawarsing, NY.   Barbara served alongside her husband as music director, playing piano, leading choir, directing many cantatas and plays, and also leading ladies’ bible studies and heading up a ladies’ ministry which served the church family in many capacities.  She would, many years later, enter NYS service at Shawangunk Correctional Facility as a keyboard specialist and then Payroll Clerk.   From there, she moved on to SUNY New Paltz where she filled several different positions, including Secretary to the Philosophy and Art Departments, from which she retired in 2007.  Barbara continued to use her musical talents directing choirs and leading cantatas and dramatic presentations. Most of all, she loved to play piano and was quite an accomplished pianist and soloist.  She played for innumerable events such as weddings, funerals and church services through the years.  She loved her family fiercely, praying without ceasing for all…and they are many!  And to her 3 sons-in-loves, you were ALL her favorites!  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, leaving behind a legacy of love, faithfulness and godliness, not only with her family, but with all whoever had the privilege of knowing her.  

Barbara is predeceased by her loving husband of 43 years, William J. Hollingshead, her parents Joseph and Leah Harris, her brother James Harris, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she never knew.  She leaves behind her 5 children: Sarah (Richard) Green, their 10 children Jordan (Laura) Green, Caleb (Christina) Green, Jesse (Hannah) Green, Samuel (Gabriella) Green, Elijah (Leah) Green, Priscilla (Craig) Eastman, Isaac (Becky) Green, Hannah (Patrick) Green, Noah (Shannon) Green and Jedidiah Green and their 19 grandchildren; Timothy (Krista) Hollingshead, their 3 children Ryan (Zena) Hollingshead, Noel (Nicholas) Conlon and Luke Hollingshead, and their 2 grandchildren; Stephen (Jennifer) Hollingshead, their daughter Robyn (Jered) Light, and their 3 grandchildren; Martha (Kevin) James, their children Casey James, Lindsey (Elmer) Rabadan, Jeremy James and Mallery James, and their 1 granddaughter; and Rebecca (Barry) Freeman,  their children Matthew (Nicole) Fallon, Austin (April) Freeman, Adam (Samantha) Fallon, Alexander Fallon, Gregory (Samantha) Fallon, Emma Freeman and Seth Freeman, and their 3 grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister Judy Wagner and several nieces and nephews.

A time of visitation will be held at Louck’s Funeral Home on Friday, April 12^th from 5 pm – 7 pm.   A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Christ the King Reformed Baptist Church on Port Ben Road, Wawarsing, NY at 2:00 pm.  There will be a private burial.  A second Memorial service will be held on April 20, 2024 at Hope Fellowship, 6230 Matt Hwy, Cumming, GA 30028 at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Answers in Genesis at answersingenesis.org, or Hope Fellowship Building Fund at hopefellowshipga.com.

We would like to thank Pruitt Hospice and Brittany for the loving care given to our mom during these past few months. 

Proverbs 31:28-31 “Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her: ‘There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!’  Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.  Reward her for all she has done.  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”