As a child, Van was a bright student who was promoted to second grade halfway through her first-grade year. She enjoyed playing marbles with the little boys who lived next door. Van was spunky and determined. In third grade, the boy who sat behind her dipped her pigtails in the inkwell. Van’s mother thought she was going to have to cut the ink-stained ends. The next time it happened, Van turned around and knocked the boy to the floor, just as her father had instructed her to do. Not only did she not get into trouble, she was never again picked on by that boy or anyone else.
Van’s father was a football fan and took her to her first football game: Mayfield V. Tilghman. She loved everything about that experience and was subsequently hooked. When her family moved out of the Mayfield school district in 1947, they paid $26 per semester so she could continue attending Mayfield High School. A senior class ring cost the same amount, and Van was not able to have one for another 50 years, when her husband bought it for her. Van graduated in 1949 and proudly supported the Cardinals until her last breath. She enjoyed attending games to cheer them on, as well as reviewing old game footage during the off season. Van was recently recognized as the Cardinals’ Number One Fan.
Van accompanied James Thomas “Tommy” Holloway on their first date at the age of 17. It was NOT love at first sight and it was another six months before he called her back. They married a couple of years later, on February 18, 1950. Van had always dreamed of being a wife and mother. The Holloways were blessed by nearly 73 years of marriage before Tommy’s death. During that time, they welcomed four children, fourteen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
As a new wife, Van woke each morning to milk cows before catching a ride to Mayfield to work at Time Finance for her brother-in-law. When their first child was born (the first baby Van had ever held) she continued to milk cows, work in the family fruit orchards, run a household, and worked miracles on a very tight budget. The Holloways frequently provided meals and lodging for relatives and others, often on a moment’s notice. It was important to Van to make everyone feel at home. When their youngest child went to school, Van worked at the stockyards during the cattle sales. She later worked at People’s Security Finance in Paducah until 1994, when she retired to care for her mother.
Van is survived by their children, Jim (Judy) Holloway of Reidland, Judy (George) Cates of Mayfield, Jana (Phil) Cannon of Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, and Jerry “Peanut” (Kim) Holloway of Mayfield; grandchildren, Jill (Ryan) Smith and Jamie (Alex) Risen of Lexington, Ken Cates of Louisville, Caleb Cannon of Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, and Kidron Cannon of Las Vegas, Nevada, Jessica (Danielle) Holloway of Vancouver, Washington, Neely (Colt) Haley, Gage (Brittany) Dunn, Garrett (Bethany) Dunn, and Hallic Dunn, all of Mayfield, Hattie Dunn of Murray, and Julie, Jemma, and Eiryn Evangeline Holloway, all of Mayfield; and great-grandchildren, Tanner Smith, Emmy Smith, Colin Risen, Campbell Risen, Kenleigh Cates, Khloe Cates, Nia Haley, Creed Haley, Steele Haley, Easton Dunn, Harrison Dunn, Lawson Dunn, and Kenna Dunn. One grandchild, Chris Cates, preceded her in passing.
The family would like to recognize and thank Van’s special caregivers, Teresa Griffith, Pat Ellegood, April Crumbles, Pat Seaford, Jackie Emerson, Nakia Brown, Tiffany Perkins, Tiffany Beck, and Clara Riley, who provided daily care and companionship. The family would also like to thank Van’s church family at Lebanon Church of Christ and the many others for the calls, visits, prayers, and food.
Visitation for Van will be held Friday, June 6, 2025, from 5-8 pm at Byrn Funeral Home in Mayfield, with services being held Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 11 am. John Forgy, Elliott Hamm, and John Dale will officiate. Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandson’s in-laws. Honorary pallbearers will be Dale Jones, Gary Prichett, Shawn Turbeville, Chip Holloway, Michael Lax, Herb Dawson, Phil Holloway, and Joe Holloway. Funeral attendees are encouraged to wear Mayfield High School colors, especially red. Burial will take place at Lebanon Church of Christ Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to New Pathways for Children (P.O. Box 10, Melber, KY 42069-0010) or West Kentucky Youth Camp (301 Youth Camp Rd., Marion, KY 42064).