James Buford Hollis

James Buford Hollis, Sr.
March 20, 1920 - April 13, 2014

James Buford Hollis, Sr., age 94 of Waynesboro, TN, passed from this life on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at Wayne Medical Center in Waynesboro, TN.
He was born March 20, 1920 in the Hines community in Lauderdale County, AL to James Boyd Hollis and Nona Lee Hollis, being the oldest of seven children. In 1939, he married Johnnie Earl Treadwell. She preceded him in death. They had one child, James Buford Hollis, Jr. In 1993, Mr. Hollis married Reba Faye Lynn Risner.
Mr. Hollis received a Master Barber license from Cantrell Barber College in Nashville, TN. He was also employed as a construction worker, railroad brake mechanic, rail car inspector, lock smith, cabinet maker, furniture upholsterer, and repairman. During WWII he worked on several war projects including the building of barracks at Ft. Campbell, KY, and The Manhattan Project, in Oak Ridge, TN, in which he participated in the building of the first atomic bomb. Mr. Hollis retired from Florida East Coast Railroad.

His hobbies were fishing, hunting, and camping. He loved growing flowers and took great pride in his yard. He was an avid sports fan, with Atlanta Braves and TN Vols being his favorite teams. He was a 32nd degree Mason, Shriner, and a member of Waynesboro Lodge 127. He participated in the Shrine paper sale for thirty-five consecutive years.

Having strong faith in God, he was a man of honorable character. He was faithful to his family and always lent a helping hand to others. Church and Southern Gospel singing were a big part of his life. In his early years, he attended Vaughn School of Music in Lawrenceburg, TN. Over the years he faithfully sang in the choir and served in many positions in the Methodist church, where he was a member. He sang in a barber shop quartet in Florida, and in several local quartets over the years.

In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by his son, James Buford Hollis, Jr., two brothers, Edwin and Lee Roy Hollis, two sisters, Laura Frances Hollis Ricketts and Nancy Josephine Hollis Dodd.


He is survived by his wife Reba Hollis, two step-daughters, Serena Risner Pierce, husband Barry, and Alana Risner Baxter, husband, Albert, two granddaughters, Caroline Hollis Roberts, husband, Tony, and Julie Hollis Grim, husband, Rob, two great-granddaughters, Meghan Roberts and Chandler Roberts, one great-grandson, Garrett Grim, three step-grandchildren, Carter Pierce, Blaise Baxter and Breslin Baxter, two sisters, Anna Lou Hollis Gobbell; Patsy Nadine Hollis Sims, husband, Ray, daughter in law, Patrecia Slayden Hollis, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.


Visitation will be Tuesday, April 15th at Shackelford Funeral Home in Waynesboro from 6:00 to 8:45 p.m. with Masonic Rites to follow. The funeral will be at First United Methodist Church in Waynesboro on Wednesday, April 16th at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Whitney Mitchell officiating. Members of the Masonic Lodge will serve as pallbearers. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens in Waynesboro with Shackelford Funeral Directors in charge of arrangements..