Sue Mayes Holladay – known affectionately to many as “Nana” – was born on December 2, 1930 to Sterling and Bea Mayes in Earlsboro, Oklahoma. The family moved to Oklahoma City, where Sue completed high school before earning a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Oklahoma.
After school, Sue worked as an airline stewardess, until she met John Holladay. Sue and John M. Holladay Jr. married on September 18, 1954. They spent the next 55 years loving one another and their children (and, as time passed, their growing herd of grandchildren and great-grandchildren) until John passed away in 2010.
Their lives and John’s career took them many places: to Shidler, Oklahoma; to Denver, Colorado; and even to England for a three-year stint Sue remembered fondly. Mostly, they settled in Texas, living in Dallas and Lake Conroe. Sue spent her last years in Katy, Texas to be close to her daughter, Sherry.
No matter where she lived, Sue devoted herself to family, church, and political organization. She led the Republican Women’s Club in multiple cities, including Lake Conroe, and she was president of many PTA clubs. While in Denver, Sue received the Medal of Merit from President Ronald Reagan, and she was many times a volunteer at Republican headquarters and delegate to Republican conventions.
Sue and and John’s love of travel and adventure led them to obtain their pilot’s licenses and own a race car company, but she was always happiest when hosting a home full of people. Sue met everyone – family and strangers alike – with kindness and grace. She prided herself on knowing, working with, and befriending people from all walks of life.
Throughout her 90 years, Sue loved and was loved deeply. Sue is preceded in death by husband John, daughter Kathy Gibson, son-in-law Rick Gibson, brother Richard Mayes, and brother-in-law George Holladay. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Rankin, and husband Larry; grandchildren John-Michael Kretz, and wife Emily; Jason Gibson; Lauren Trice, and husband Jake; Christopher Phelps; Brent Phelps, and Colleen Wagner; and Brittany Dore, and husband Mark; and nine great-grandchildren. Sue also leaves behind many other family and friends, including her cherished best friends Shirley Holladay, who is also her sister-in-law, and Marilyn Jones. Sue will best be remembered for her sweetness, hospitality, style and humor.
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