Hollis Foster Jr.

Hollis Foster Jr., 68, of Clarendon, passed away on Wednesday evening December 20 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Stuttgart.

Hollis was born November 5, 1955 in Holly Grove, Arkansas to Ruthie Mae Hurd and Hollis Foster Sr.. He was raised in Holly Grove by his mother and step-father Arthur Lowery.

Although Hollis didn't have a regular church home, he and his family would often visit different churches throughout the community. He enjoyed serving the Lord and speaking to family and friends about his goodness.

Hollis received his formal education from the Holly Grove Public School. He was a 1973 graduate of Holly Grove High School. He continued his education after enlisting in the Army and attended Frankfurt American High School in Frankfurt, Germany. After returning to the country, he went on to attend the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

Hollis served in the United States Army for more than 10 years. He received an honorable discharge in 1983 after having served abroad in Europe before returning to the states.

Hollis served for more than 25 years in law enforcement. He was employed with the Holly Grove Police Department for more than 20 plus years, 14 years was spent serving in the capacity of the city's Chief of Police. He also worked with the cities of Cotton Plant Police Department and Marianna Police Department during his career.

Hollis also worked in other capacities for the city of Holly Grove. He served as the city's Fire Chief on the local fire department and on the city's Water Department. He even worked as the school crossing guard, making sure all the kids were safe before and after school hours. During his earlier years after, he also worked as a paralegal in the law offices of the late attorney L.T. Sims.

Hollis was united in holy matrimony to Janice F. Wofford on November 21, 2009.

His parents: Ruthie Mae and Arthur Lowery and Hollis Foster Sr., two brother James Gray and LeRoy Davis; and a sister Louise Foster all preceded Hollis in death.

Survivors are: his wife Janice F. Foster of Clarendon, AR; three sons: Lawrence (Kristi) Fitzgerald of St. Louis, MO; Hollis Foster III of West Helena, AR; and Dayshun Foster of Cotton Plant, AR; a step-son Brandon Bonds of Little Rock, AR; three daughters: Felita (Emanuel) Reed of Helena, AR; Laura (Rickey) Phillips of West Helena, AR; Tamikia (Earnest) Williams of Omaha, NE; a goddaughter Nicki Padgett of Clarendon, AR; sixteen grandchildren, five great grandchildren; seven brothers: Alvin (Treva) Lowery of Holly Grove, AR; Calvin Lowery of Lemoore, CA; Authur (Carolyn) Lowery and Donnie (Stacey) Lowery both of Pine City, AR; Harvey (Lamonicia) Lowery and Lonnie (Tremell) Lowery both of Stuttgart, AR; and Steve Lowery of Searcy, AR; three sisters: Barbara (J.C.) Hall and Dorothy Jenkins both of Holly Grove, AR; and Arthelia Johnson of Pine City, AR; two aunts: Theresa Jackson of Holly Grove, AR and Cleaster Gaines of Wichita, KS; two dear friends: Lula P. Tyler and Willie B. Stokes both of Holly Grove, AR and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 30 at 10 AM at the Clarendon Holly Grove High School Auditorium, 320 North 7th Street in Clarendon with Reverend Monteal Williams officiating. Interment will be private by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 email: williamsfuneraldirectors@gmail.com and web address: www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net <http://www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net>.

Pallbearers are: Ronnie Johnson, Tony Booth, Travion Lowery, Melvin Jenkins, Danny Vinson and Vincent Sawyer.