Jacqualine "Jackie" Hollingsworth

Jacqualine Ray Yearwood Hollingsworth July 1, 1946 – October 3, 2010 On October 3rd, Jackie Hollingsworth was wrapped in God's blanket of comfort and love just as she wrapped so many others in the past. Few people in the North Fulton area have never heard of the “Blanket Lady” from Alpharetta First United Methodist Church because more than 10,000 people have received a comfort blanket from the ministry that Jackie started in 1998. Over the years, other members of the church caught Jackie's enthusiasm for this ministry and the work will continue. Jackie spent her life giving to others through her ministries, music, teaching, and strong devotion to her family. From an early age Jackie was well-known for her passion for music. In her 35-year career as a music teacher in Fulton County School system, Jackie taught thousands of students to love music. She retired from teaching in 2006 As a music teacher in her private piano studio Jackie shared her love for music. She was a gifted teacher and enjoyed creating beautiful music too. As a musician, she served as organist, pianist, and choir director in churches throughout the community and was an accompanist for many years for GMEA's All-State Choruses. Jackie grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, graduated from Forest Hill High School in 1964, then graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in 1968 where she earned a Bachelors degree in Music Education. Then in 1971 she graduated from North Texas State University with a Master of Music Education degree. After graduate school, she began her teaching career in Georgia at Roswell High School then taught at Haynes Bridge and Northwestern Middle Schools in Alpharetta. In retirement, Jackie discovered she loved volunteering to teach English to adult speakers of other languages. Jackie and her husband, Ben, recently celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary. They were truly devoted to each other and supported each other in their various careers, hobbies, passions and raising their children, Erin and Biff. Jackie loved her role as “Joy Mama” with her grandsons. She felt blessed to see her son and daughter become great parents and give her two awesome grandsons. Many times Jackie would push herself to do things with the grandchildren in spite of her illness. Jackie stocked a fabulous playroom for her grandsons with many great bargains from thrift stores. Jackie loved a bargain and would buy things with specific intentions to give them to people who were in need. Her Good Samaritan heart was inspired by her parents. Her father, D.C.Yearwood, was known as the “Good Samaritan” of Jackson. Her mother, Vera Yearwood, established a thrift shop in her church to help people in need. Over the years, Jackie undertook multiple crafting projects, but she was perhaps better known for her “Tom Sawyer” personality. She was great at having the ideas - and even better at convincing someone else to carry out those ideas. She became a member of Chattahoochee Evening Stars Quilt Guild and then persuaded her husband Ben to join. Additionally, she was a member of the East Cobb Quilt Guild with Ben. She was also a member of AFUMC's Agape circle of United Methodist Women. Jackie lost her final battle with cancer after a courageous 14 year fight. Jackie fought the disease despite just about every set-back imaginable. She lived life to its fullest even while coping with her ongoing treatments. Throughout her years of treatments, she was loved and supported by her husband, family, and doctors and staff of Atlanta Cancer Care. For two months prior to her death, Jackie was cared for by her family, friends, and an amazing home hospice staff. Jacqualine Ray Yearwood Hollingsworth was born July 1, 1946 in Jackson, Mississippi. She was the daughter of D. C. and Vera Catherine Eads Yearwood. She is survived by her husband¬, Bennie M. Hollingsworth of Alpharetta, GA, her sister, Ginger Alice Yearwood Manchester (John Manchester) of Raymond, MS, daughter, Catherine “Erin” Christine Hollingsworth Parker (Chaz Parker) of Woodstock, GA, son Douglas Clinton “Biff” Hollingsworth (Kate Murphy-McMillian) of Durham, NC, two grandsons, Owen Charles Parker and Jonas Clyde Mulhollan, one nephew, Joshua Manchester (Amy Manchester), one niece, Katie Ha (Steve Ha), three aunts, Alice Eads, Faye Denham and Carolyn Pendery, and their families. The family will receive visitors from 6-8pm on Wed. October 6th at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and from 5-6pm on Thurs. October 7th at Alpharetta FUMC. Funeral services will be Thurs. October 7th at 6:30 at AFUMC and will be followed by a reception in the Methodist Youth Center. Interment will be Fri. October 8th at 11am at Greenlawn Cemetery. For more information, visit www.northsidechapel.com. Memorials may be made to the Blanket Ministry at Alpharetta UMC at 69 N. Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30009.

Jacqualine "Jackie" Hollingsworth

July 1, 1946 - October 3, 2010