Mrs. Alice Louise (Parsons) Hollingsworth, 84, of Galesburg, passed away at 4:00 PM Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Heartland Health Care Clinic due to complications from COVID-19 and after a three year battle with dementia.
She was the loving wife of Jerry Hollingsworth, to whom she was married for 66 years and with whom she raised five children: Jim Hollingsworth of Galesburg, Julie (Ron) Morris of Galesburg, Jeanie (Rick) Wilson of Carterville, Illinois, Jane Phillips and Joni (Bob) Kroeger of Centralia, Illinois. She also was the loving grandmother to ten grandchildren: Tara (Jonathan) Williams, Mandy (Jeff) Rose, Shawn Mahnesmith, Brandon (Beth) Phillips, Brianna (Logan) Purcell, Bailey Phillips, Mitchell (Dawn) Kroeger, Madylin Kroeger, Mindy (Eric) Matthews, and Ryan Morris. She also had seventeen loving great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, on December 25, 2020 and her daughter, Jane Phillips on September 10, 2015.
Alice was born July 30, 1936 in Stronghurst, IL to Chester and Maude (Kissick) Parsons. She graduated from Monmouth High School in 1954. On August 18, 1954, she married Jerry. They moved to Virginia so he could complete his time in the military.
Returning to Illinois in 1955, she and Jerry lived their life together in Galesburg until 1969. They then moved to Petersburg, IL until returning to Galesburg in 1978. She dedicated her life to being a wonderful homemaker. She bore and raised five healthy children (including a set of twins), kept a lovely home, and was known to be a wonderful cook and baker. She was a member of the Mothers of Twins Club in the 1960s, and kept the house running smoothly while her husband pursued careers as a carpenter and musician. She loved supporting her husband and listening to him perform music.
After returning to Galesburg, she began working at K-Mart in the camera and jewelry center; she remained in this position for twenty years before retiring. After retiring, she worked as a door greeter at Wal-Mart to stay busy. She loved to read and watch television to relax. She was incredibly supportive of her children and grandchildren and always proud of them.
Alice grew up in a large family and was close with her siblings. She is survived by one brother, Harold Parsons,of Wichita Falls, TX and four sisters, Lila Taylor of Cheyenne, WY, Fran McCormick, of Collinsville, IL, Linda Walker of Monmouth, IL, and Blanche Homes of Keokuk, IA. She is preceded in death by her brothers Norman Parsons, Raymond Parsons, and Charles Parsons, sisters Evelyn Rodgers, Carol Mahoney, and Susan McGann, and parents, Chester Parsons and Maude Magnusson.
A Private Family Service will be held on Monday with Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. Those wishing to attend the funeral “virtually” may watch the live broadcast at 1:30PM Monday on the funeral home’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hinchliff-Pearson-West-Funeral-Directors-and-Cremation-Services-160333664037824.
Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Heartland Health Care Center. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
