Sister Merle Hollis

 Merle Hollis was born on January 17, 1954 to the late Ormand Emmanuel and Helena Medica on the Island of Trinidad. Mrs. Hollis came to the United States in 1986 to take care of her brother, George (Kelly) McDonald, who was not well at the time. She became a CNA and worked at the Geriatric Center in Dade City FL, for many years. Mrs. Hollis was an active and faithful member of the Macedonia M. B. Church, Zephyrhills FL, before joining the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, now known as Life's Harbor Church.  Mrs. Hollis served faithfully and was a true servant of God in her words and actions. Her goal was to let as many people as she could know or experience the goodness of God, as she was a witness to the Glory of God. Mrs. Hollis was a great storyteller, she would recite stories to her children and grandchildren of stories that were passed down to her by her mother. She loved to laugh and make others laugh, she would always say "Laughter does good like medicine"  and was a comedian in her own right. Mrs. Hollis was a loving and praying mother to her children, grandchildren, and to many in the community who thought of her as a mother. She will truly be forever loved and missed. On February 24,  2025, Mrs. Hollis went home to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Gaylord L Kinsey and her second husband, Lester Hollis Jr. She leaves to cherish an abundance of memories: her children; Donna Emmanuel, Sherwin Emmanuel, Gail Ford (Julian), Roston Emmanuel, Damani Emmanuel, and Kelly Quinn (Anthony); grandchildren, Paul, David, Avalon, John, Destiny, Luke, Sherwin Jr, Cherish, Akeem, Heather, Willie, Aquia, Eden, Josiah, Jaziah, Joshua, Jolivia, Charyn, Charinyo, Derena, Rodneysha, Andrew, and Lamont; great grandchildren; Jaleiah, Felisha, Juele, Isias, Kaisen, Jaden, Aaliyah, and Arabella; brothers; Kendrick Emmanuel and  Dennis Emmanuel; sisters, Patricia Noray, Vanda Alexander, and Dawn Mandley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and out-laws, and friends.

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