Memorial Service for Bishop John Holloway

A memorial service for Bishop John Holloway will be held this Saturday, March 1st, at 11:00AM at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Sharpsburg, Georgia.

The Cathedral is located at 4881 Highway 34 East, Sharpsburg, GA 30277. Their web site is http://www.ctkcec.org.

In lieu of flowers, my Mom has requested that donations be made in my Dad’s memory to the Holloway Housing Fund. For more information on donating, please click here.

If you have any questions, please refer them to Jacob Holloway (jbh301@gmail.com).

Thank you for your continued prayers during this time.

On behalf of my family,
Jacob

John W. Holloway, 3/18/54-2/22/14

My Dad passed away around 2:30AM this morning. We appreciate everyone’s prayers during this difficult time.

His memorial service will be held March 1, 2014, at 11:00AM at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Sharpsburg, Georgia. The address is 4881 Highway 34 East, Sharpsburg, GA 30277.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Holloway Housing Fund. For more information on donating to the family, please click here.

Dad is in his final days

I just spoke with my Mom and it seems that my Dad is in his final days. He is at Brightmoor Hospice. His feeding was stopped Sunday evening, as he was unable to digest it without complication. Sadly, his condition is quickly deteriorating.

Visitors are welcome to stop by and see him. You will need to sign in at the front desk before going to his room. He might not be awake/alert, but you are more than welcome to visit. Brightmoor Hospice is located at:
3247 Newnan Road
Griffin, GA 30223.

We ask that you keep my Dad, Mom, and rest of us in your prayers during this time.

Jacob

Brief update

Hello all! It’s been quite some time since I’ve last provided an update on my folks. Much has transpired since the last update and I asked my Mom to bring you all up to speed on things. The following was written by her:

I am doing great! Getting my strength back, thyroid regulated and working to build up my muscles. I return to Emory in February for next CTScan and labs and the following week to see the doctor. I am cancer free, no longer have diabetes and my blood pressure has stablized. My right kidney is not functioning, but my left one is going strong. The only problem I have been having is with my eyes. They have a form of retinopathy that was originally caused by the diabetes, but now has flared and worsened due to radiation. I have had extensive laser surgery on both eyes which will hopefully help reduce the bleeding. My vision is still not the best, but I am able with some planning to lead worship for Church of the Holy Cross in Fayetteville, GA each Sunday. I know God has promised to totally heal them both.

John is hanging in there. He is singing more and more, sometimes we will hear him just singing all by himself. He is able to stretch his leg more and is able to follow the story line of movies and television shows like he has not been able to do before. He is also enjoying watching the baseball playoffs, the Georgia Bulldog football games and the Falcons each week. He watched some of the Ryder Cup matches and is more aware of all that is going on around him. This is something he has not done since last Thanksgiving when he was taken to the ER for severe infection. A case in point, a few weeks ago Josiah and I were going to my Mom’s house to get her car and meet my sister to go through the house. When we were leaving I went and told John to have him pray for us. He kept telling me No, not to go. Well, we had already arranged things to go, so we went. When I got back, the next morning I could not get out of bed, and was truly ill. God showed me what had happened, and I went and asked him to forgive me. He gave me quite a look, and forgave me and prayed for me. It has been a really long time since I knew he was covering me and I should stay under that covering.

Josiah has graduated high school with honors, and is currently working and preparing to enter college in January. He is helping coach Crosspointe Christian Academy’s football team. He turns 20 this week. My Mom gave him her car, so he now has his own transportation which has helped tremendously. He hopes to attend Macon State College and play football for them, but he could possibly attend Gordon College for his first two years. He also plays lead guitar for the worship team at Centerpoint Church near our home. He also plays for a worship band they have formed and have been recording some of their original music.

Hannah is busy with her 9th grade work and helping her Dad and Mom. She is really into clothes right now and was so blessed by a dear lady at CHC who gave her about 10 skirts, blouses, and other clothes. She has to model them all for her Dad! She has been able to babysit some and loves that.She will be teaching children’s church at Church of the Holy Cross each Sunday in November. She is learning to cook and makes the best pound cake of anyone in the family!

We are having to deal with my Mom’s things. She has been moved to an assisted living facility in Douglas, near my sister and is doing well. We have to clean out her house and get the property ready to sell. That is a major undertaking in itself. This also makes it difficult for us to go and see her. Being pulled in several directions, which means I really need to constantly know God’s direction, so much prayer is needed.

Elaine

Urgent – Please pray for my dad

UPDATE, 8:30PM: Just got word from mom that my dad has a localized infection and he should be home later tonight.  Thankfully it isn’t anything worse! Thank you all for your prayers. This is simply another reminder of all we have to be thankful for on this day of thanksgiving.

Thank you again,
Jacob

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I just received a call from my mom (around 6:15PM). She told me that my dad is being taken to the emergency room in Griffin with stroke-like symptoms. He was awake but not very responsive to commands or questions. I will post more as I have it. Please keep my dad and family in your prayers.

Thank you,
Jacob

Overdue Update

This was written by my mom and sent to me this morning. -Jacob

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the men and women of Christ the King Cathedral in Sharpesburg, Georgia for the Chicken-Q benefit they held for our family. It was a day that words cannot describe. It was such a joy to get to see everyone who was there, to watch the young people spending their energy washing cars for donations, and to enjoy such a tremendous meal. Thank you to everyone who helped organize, who purchased the fixings, who prepared all the food, who washed cars, to Lex Luger who signed autographs for donations, and to all who donated their time to come and give. You have deeply touched us by your generosity and your compassion and love! Your gifts are being used to bring healing, wholeness and provision for our family and for that we cannot thank you enough. May God richly bless you all!

I am now leading worship for Fr. Paul Massey at the Church of the Holy Cross in Fayetteville, GA, every other week. I will also be speaking to the women at Eagle’s Way Church in Griffin on Tuesday evening, October 25th. On October 2nd, Josiah and I were able to go down to Thomaston and join the worship team at St. Michael and All Angels CEC for an awesome worship service. We are seeing God beginning to open doors of ministry and sharing with others in the area.

Josiah is in his senior year of high school and still working hard to maintain his 4.0 grade point average. He is beginning to look at colleges. He would love to continue his athletics, playing college football and baseball. He is one of the captains of his football team this year. It looks like the high school team he is playing for will once again be playing for the state championship. Hannah is finishing her eighth grade work and looking forward to entering into her high school work after Thanksgiving. She is turning into quite an artist. Fr. Jim Gardner has helped her with her drawing and she continues to improve.

God bless you all!

Elaine

Christ the King Bikers Visit Bishop John and Elaine Holloway

Christ the King Bikers visit Holloways

Note: This post was authored by Bishop David Epps and originally appeared on http://midsouthdiocese.wordpress.com/.

Member of the motorcycling community at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Sharpsburg, GA took their first ride together which included a stop at the home of Bishop John Holloway and family. The group left Christ the King after morning services on Sunday October 16 and made the 40 mile ride to the city of Griffin. Father Jason administered Holy Eucharist to the Holloway family. John Holloway served as the Bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-South from 1997 until June 2007 when he suffered a massive stroke. A highlight of the visit occurred when Bishop Holloway blessed the bikers who then continued on their journey.

Left to right: Steve McCook, Newnan; Bonnie Bar, Carrollton; Elaine Holloway, Griffin; Father Jason Epps, Senoia; Bishop John Holloway, Dawn McCook, Newnan; Bishop David Epps, Sharpsburg; John Epps, Sharpsburg; Jessica Epps, Senoia; Gary and Ellen Cramer, Newnan; Gerhard Bar, Carrollton. (Not pictured, Josiah and Hannah Holloway)

Eye Appointment

Tuesday, August 16, UPDATE: Mom has a ride both to and from the eye doctor on Saturday! Praise God!

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My mom is in the process of applying for SSI. As a part of the SSI process, she is required to undergo an eye exam to determine whether or not her vision troubles qualify her as disabled. As such, an appointment was made on her behalf for Saturday, August 20th, at 9:00AM. My mom is capable of driving to the appointment, but will not be able to drive home. The doctor’s office is less than 3 miles from her home, across from Spalding Regional Medical Center. If you will be in the Griffin area and can help get my mom home, please send her an e-mail (elaineholloway13@gmail.com) or give her a call (678.603.2658). Thank you for your help!

Jacob

Doctors visits and a NEW truck!

The Holloway's NEW truck!

Where to begin? I will start with Monday’s doctors visits. Mom had her scheduled 3-month labs and exam. She hasn’t been back to the doctor since her PET scan in May. Mom’s labs looked good overall. A few levels were lower or higher than ideal, but she is holding steady. She has gained a few pounds since May as well. In addition to labs, she also had a series of immunization shots. Since mom is essentially an infant cell-wise, she will have to be inoculated again. Mom’s next appointment is in September, where she will have lab work and more immunization shots.

I had an appointment on Monday with my cardiologist. I had lab work, an EKG, an echocardiogram, and a general check-up. My blood pressure remained high, which is mainly attributable to my weight. The doctor said that the echocardiogram showed some abnormalities, which were present two years ago, but that it looked “good” overall. I am scheduled to return in November to monitor my blood pressure.

Now that all of the health stuff is out of the way, to the good part! On Tuesday, while I was driving back to Athens, my family received a gift. The gift, which you may already know, was a 2000 Ford Ranger! As I have written before, my mom was involved in an automobile accident in February of this year. A result of the wreck was that our family van was totaled. Without funds to repair the van, we had no viable transportation aside from my car. While my car runs great, with me being in graduate school in Athens, the family was left without any vehicle for transportation. Many people rallied and searched for a replacement vehicle and it was Fr. Ken and Donna Murie from Fort Walton Beach that so generously donated the truck to the Mid-South Diocese, which in turn, donated the truck to us. Bp. Epps graciously flew to Florida and drove the truck back to Georgia. The Mid-South Diocese also filled the truck with gas, and gave the money for the taxes, tag, and title. We wish to thank every one who worked so hard to find us a vehicle – especially Fr. Ken and Donna Murie, Bp. David Epps, Fr. Paul Massey, and every one else who wrote, gave, and searched high and low for us. Thank you!

July 2011 Update

Two months have passed since my last update. I apologize for this. I have been more than busy the past few weeks. The best way to update you all is to provide an individual update on each family member.

Dad: Dad’s health is holding steady. He has had some intermittent trouble with a cold or pain, but overall, he has not declined nor improved. He was dropped by his hospice service, due to his lack of decline. Subsequently, he is back with his previous family physician, which is trying to secure steady home health care for my dad. Dad still has one company that is visiting 5 times a week, but until a second company is added, mom has taken over dad’s daily changing and general hygienic care.

Mom: Mom’s been slowly improving since the last update. She has an appointment with her Oncologist on August 8th. This is a follow-up exam with blood work. She is not schedule for a PET scan anytime soon. Her appetite is improving and the range of foods she can tolerate/consume is ever-growing. Overall, mom is doing quite well, especially considering what all she has gone through the past several years.

Jacob: I am currently conducting research at the UGA-Griffin Campus. I am set to move to Athens the first two weeks of August. I will begin classes in Athens on August 15th. So far, my research has gone very well and I am excited to be back in Athens soon. I am also scheduled for a visit at Emory on August 8th. I have my 3-year follow-up appointment with my Cardiologist. I am scheduled for an EKG, echocardiogram, and blood work. All in all, I am quite busy,  but doing very well.

Josiah: Josiah is preparing to begin his 12th grade school work. He is also gearing up for his final football season with CrossPointe Christian Academy. Josiah remains employed at Chick-Fil-A. He remains healthy and is doing well with his endeavors.

Hannah: Hannah continues to be the go-to person around the house. She is a huge help with my mom and dad’s health care. She is in the 8th grade and is progressing well. She recently went for her first small airplane ride for her birthday, and I am told, thoroughly enjoyed it.

As you are likely aware, our family van was totaled in February. We have been utilizing my car for all of our transportation needs since then, but as I prepare to move to Athens, I am planning on taking my car with me. As such, my family is in serious need of a vehicle. My mom has been offered a part-time paid position in Fayetteville that will require her to drive there twice a month. As it stands now, we have no transportation options for her after I leave in August. We were able to “junk” the van and get a small sum, but the amount we were able to get was in no way adequate for a replacement. If you or someone you know can help with a vehicle, please either call me (404.981.5253) or my mom (678.603.2658). Or send us an e-mail (jbh301@gmail.com). We really don’t have any money to purchase a vehicle at this time, but we are believing for God to provide.

We are also looking for cheaper housing for 2012. Our lease ends at the end of this year and we would really like to maximize our spending by lowering our rental costs. If you are aware of a 3 bedroom/2 bath house, please let us know.

I am currently revising our monthly budget and should have that uploaded before I leave for Athens. I appreciate your continued support for my family and your patience with me.

That should about do it with bringing you all up to speed on my family. Thank you for your prayers, support, and continued friendship. You all mean the world to us.

Jacob