John Clifford Hollifield, age 88, of Rollins Street, Forest City, died Sunday, September 20, 2015 at the Hospice House of Rutherford County.
Born May 21, 1927 in Rutherford County, he was a son of the late James Clyde Hollifield and Buena Gettys Hollifield. He graduated in the mid 1940's from Sunshine High School and was a veteran of the US Army. John honorably served his country during World War II and the Korean War. He worked for Broyhill Industries for twenty-seven years and was a lifetime member and Sunday School teacher at Alexander United Methodist Church. John enjoyed going to flea markets, working on lawnmowers and collecting pocket knives and tools.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Robert Hollifield.
Survivors include his loving wife of sixty-four years, Juanita Branch Hollifield; two sons, Keith Hollifield and wife, Sue of Marion and Alan Hollifield and wife, Elaine of Ellenboro; two sisters, Mary Dodgen of Charlotte and Sue Carpenter and husband, Elbert of Tryon; three brothers, Hugh Hollifield, Earl Hollifield and wife, Mary all of Sunshine and Howard Hollifield and wife, Mary Jane of Ellenboro. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Josh Hollifield and wife, Yoshi, Natalie Elliott and husband, Jonathan, Sally Cocklin and husband, Jason and Ben Hollifield and wife, Jenny; seven great-grandchildren, Riley Elliott, Keira Elliott, Saia Hollifield, Sebastian Cocklin, Pierce Hollifield, Dawson Hollifield and soon to be born, Annie Mae Cocklin.
Funeral services will be conducted at two o'clock on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at the Alexander United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. James Powell and Mr. Josh Hollifield officiating. Interment will follow in Sunshine United Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors being accorded by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care of John. Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or to the Alexander United Methodist Church, PO Box 1727, Forest City, NC 28043.
Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.
