Judith Louise (Hollida) Daves

Judith “Judy” Louise (Hollida) Daves, 84, of Silva, MO, passed away Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Harlingen, Texas, December 21, 1937, to Herbert B. Hollida and Madalyne Armstrong (Graham) Hollida.   

In November 1942, Judy’s family moved from Texas to Cascade, MO, where her father operated a sawmill before his death in July 1950. She attended the Gravelton and Buckhorn grade schools and then graduated high school from Greenville, Class of 1955. Judy was married to Lavern H. Daves, Oct. 6, 1957. To this union, four children were born: Susan Louise, Jeffrey Neal, Robinn Celeste, and John Herbert. 

Judy retired as a postmaster from the Federal Postal Service after thirty-eight years of service. She started as a postal clerk in 1963, at the Silva Post Office, becoming postmaster for that branch in 1972. She was beloved by her patrons, and she always had fresh cookies and hot coffee to share as folks picked up their mail. Judy was saved and baptized in 1947 and attended the Hickory Grove Baptist Church while young. As an older teen and adult, she was a member of the Greenville Missionary Baptist Church. In her later years, she was a faithful member of the New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Silva.

Judy was a sixty-three-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, holding memberships in both the Greenville and Piedmont chapters. She held multiple leadership positions at the local and state level, with the highlight of serving as the Grand Representative for Missouri to the District of Columbia in 2013.

Judy adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and showered each of them with love and support for their dreams and plans. She loved to watch professional bull riding and had the chance to attend several live events. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and she would make cookie and candy trays for others to celebrate the season; she was known as one of the best cooks in the area. Judy really loved snow; and because she prayed for snow, she felt sorry for the MODOT workers so, she would make fresh doughnuts and deliver them to the men working the storm.

Remaining to cherish Judy’s memory are her husband of sixty-four years, Lavern, of the home; her children: Susan Gray and husband Bill of Archie, MO, Jeffrey Daves and wife Lora of Greenville, MO, Robinn Daves-Huey of Dexter, MO, and John Herbert Daves and wife Samantha of Patterson, MO; eight grandchildren and five step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren; extended family and a lifetime of friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents; her stepfather: Willard “Pete” Graham; and brothers: Billy George Hollida and Ralph Dan “Doc” Hollida.

Judy’s love for life, sense of humor, and red hair will always be remembered. Her greatest legacy was her unconditional love for her family and friends, which was shown through her hard work, dedication, and abiding love.

The family is deeply appreciative to Becky Rogers and Mary Phillips for their in-home care of Judy; and to Preferred Hospice for their outstanding and compassionate care during the past months. Judy will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and community.

Visitation was held at 5:00 pm, Sunday, January 2, 2022, at Ruegg Funeral Home in the Greenville Chapel. Funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Monday, Jan 3, 2022, also in the Greenville Chapel. Bro. Mike Green ministered to the family. Bill Gray read the obituary. Soft music was provided by Pam Green. Hunter Hollida, Dennis Hicks, Randy Daves, Madison Baker, David Bollinger, Matt Joy, Tim Green, and Jarred Costephens served as pallbearers. Paul Bridges, Harold P. Twidwell, Delzia Sutton, Daryl Libla, Dennis Barrett, Donnie Myers, Chester Shrum and Greg Gramlich served as honorary pallbearers. Burial was in Montgomery Chapel Cemetery in Silva. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Judith Louise (Hollida) Daves, please visit our floral store.