Remembering Lonnie Grady “Buddy” Hollowell

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Lonnie Grady “Buddy” Hollowell, 79, passed away peacefully surrounded with his loved ones at his side on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Vicksburg, Miss. He was born in Vicksburg, Miss., on December 5, 1946, to Grady and Lucille Hollowell. He grew up in Redwood, Miss.

He worked for 35 years at Stuart Irby Company and for several years at Mississippi Hardware, where he enjoyed waiting on customers, cutting up, and telling jokes. He was known for his artwork and for doodling on napkins. You could often find him at Waffle House or McDonald’s having coffee with his buddies, telling old stories, and sharing plenty of laughs. Making others laugh and smile was one of the great loves of his life.

He was skilled in carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing, and he could take a tractor completely apart and reassemble it without missing a single piece, leaving it running like silk. He attended Trinity Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon in years past and sang in the church choir.

He married his high school sweetheart, Martha McVoy, on Nov. 22, 1966, and they were lucky to have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Naya. They were blessed with two beautiful granddaughters, Ashlyn and Katelyn.

Hollowell was preceded in death by his parents, Grady and Lucille Hollowell; his brothers, Ed Hollowell and Bob Hollowell; and his niece, Melissa “Lucy” Nevels.

He is survived by his wife, Martha; daughter, Elizabeth Naya (Paul); granddaughters, Ashlyn and Katelyn Naya; Sister-in-Law, Jeanie McVoy; his identical twin brother Ronnie (Cecelia), who he was 10 minutes older than; brother Don (Frances); his nieces and nephews, Grady Hollowell (Leslie), Marlene West (Curtis), Angela Wright (Byron), Bryan Hollowell (Shannon), Cecil Hollowell (Susan), Thomas Hollowell (Janie), Russell Hollowell (Rita), David Hollowell, Ricky Hollowell (Marlene) and Bruce Hollowell (Velvet).

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at Glenwood Funeral Home.  The service was officiated by Rev. Ron Burch.  Visitation was from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service.  Burial followed in Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Trinity Baptist deacons Billy Bratcher, William Cook, Elton Freeman, Scott McClellan, Steven McGee and Neil Howard. Honorary pallbearers were Paul Naya, Richard Carol, Steve Cooper, James Edwards, Don Gould, Mitch Martin, K.B. Brown, Dale Oliver and Timmy Lampkin.

A special thank you to the Heritage House nursing home staff for the excellent care provided to Lonnie during his stay.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Trinity Baptist Church, 3365 Porters Chapel Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180, or the Alzheimer’s Association, or to a charity of your choice.