Tommy Holiday

Tommy “Tom” L. Holiday was born Sunday, March 14, 1937, in Snowlake, AR, to Lee and Mary Gardner Holiday. Tom received his formal education at Carrie I. King School in Snowlake. Tom attended Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where he was baptized as a young man. In 1957, Tom moved to Chicago, IL, where his cousins, Bill Traylor and Leslie Holiday, deceased, were living for better employment opportunities. Tom, wanting to settle down and establish roots, desired to be married and have a family. In 1959, Tom met Malouria Turner and they were joined in holy matrimony on July 28, 1960. Tom continued his walk with the Lord when he moved to Chicago at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. After settling down with his wife, they had three children, Donna, Dawn and Tom Jr., to continue on his legacy. During this time, Tom held various positions, such as short order cook, cab driver, and day laborer, as he needed to provide for his family. Through the years he became a skilled tradesman. Tom retired after 30 years from Alden Press as a forklift operator and Pressman. He was a loyal and faithful Member of the Masonic Whitestone Lodge #7. Affectionately known as “Mr. Holiday,” “Uncle Tom,” and Pops, he tried to steer young men and women to be good citizens and take up a trade. He always encouraged them to be a carpenter or plumber, as they are always in demand. At the time of his death, Tom was a member of Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Johnny L. Miller. He looked forward to joining the Deacon’s Board, a role he previously held at Mars Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Tom gained his eternal resting place on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Lee and Mary Holiday, brother, Wilbur, sisters, Betty A. Wood and Dorothy J. Hall, and adopted son, Abraham Cooper. Tom is survived by: wife of 63 years, Malouria, daughters, Donna (Oladapo) Ososami and Dawn Roschelle; son, Tommy Jr.; adopted children, Robynne “Liza” Cooper and Gregory Easley; brother, Freddie (Eva) L. Holiday; sisters, Maggie Adams, Wille B. Birch and Ella (Howard) Scott; sisters-in-love: Beverly Taylor, Stephanie (Isaac) Fentry and Angela (Leroy) Brunson; Grandchildren, Shannon Maurice, Danielle Seville, Marquita T. (Kevin) Rogers, Donald Michael, Shenetta Malouria, and Tiara Sade; a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, family, friends, and the Ohio Street residents,where he lived for more than 52 years; and special neighbors, The Perry Family,

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