Erlene Holcomb Gillentine Redding passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 23, 2017, in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 93. Erlene was born on April 14, 1924, in Guntersville, Alabama to Jadie and Ruby (Sherrell) Holcomb.
She was a generous and thoughtful soul who loved her family, friends, and laughter. She got immense joy from teaching children’s Sunday School for over 30 years at Ironhill Baptist Church in Acworth, Georgia where she was an active and dedicated member. Mrs. Redding was married to Bobby Ray Redding on March 11, 1972, at Harmony Grove Baptist Church in Marietta, GA. and was a devoted wife for 39 years to him before his passing. She was also preceded in death by her first husband of 20 years, Thurman Gillentine, Sr; her son, Thurman Gillentine, Jr.; sister, Aline Gandy; and her brothers and sister-in-laws, Waylon and Willie Mae Holcomb; T.A. and Tinie Holcomb; and Talmadge and Betty Holcomb. Left to cherish Erlene’s memory are her daughters, Mary (Richard) Criss; Ruby (Don) Perrin; Velma (Willard) McCarty, all of Birmingham; her son, Anthony Redding of Acworth, GA.; her brother, William (Faye) Holcomb of Birmingham, AL.; grandchildren, Donald Perrin of Birmingham, AL.; Caren Blankenship of Birmingham, AL.; Cherry Wiggins of Mobile, AL.; and Shelby Redding of Acworth, GA. Also surviving her are her 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life service will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. till 2:00 p.m. A committal service will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorials be made in her memory to Ironhill Baptist Church, P.O. Box 811, Acworth, Ga. 30101
Arrangements under the direction of Johns-Ridout's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel, Birmingham, AL.
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