Rosemary Holiday "Holly" Wallace

Rosemary Holiday “Holly” Wallace, 52, of Gulfport, MS, passed away on August 1, 2021, at Driftwood Nursing Center. Her parents Frank and Rosemary Wallace of Biloxi and brother Jarrell Evans of Gulfport preceded her in death. Her brother Christopher Cain (Daphne) of Biloxi, nephew Ashley Evans (Angela) of Pass Christian, and niece Christie McLendon (Justin) of Litchfield Park, AZ, two great-nieces, three great-nephews, and two great-great-nieces survive her. Holly was born on January 6, 1969, at Gulfport Memorial. As a Down syndrome child, Holly achieved many awards and honors, but being a Special Olympian in horseback riding and bowling were two of her most prized achievements. She also took square dancing and learned sign language. Although Miss Wallace lived most of her life in Gulfport and was the first person with Down syndrome to graduate from Gulfport High School, she also lived in Biloxi, Jackson, and Brandon for a time. She worked at Keesler Air Force Base and lived independently for many years, which is an achievement in and of itself for someone with special needs. Naomi Judd, the famous country singer, met Holly at a concert once. Judd wrote in her autobiography that Holly was like an angel. Those who knew her would heartily agree. The family knows that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord and finds comfort in knowing that God is taking care of Holly, one of his precious children. On September 4, a funeral will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street in Gulfport at 11 a.m. to remember Holly’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Special Olympics Mississippi, 2906 North State Street, Suite 206, Jackson, MS 39216. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wallace family. View and sign the online tribute at www.bokfh.com.