May 17, 1961 – Aug. 20, 2012

PURVIS — Services for John Russell “Rusty” Hollowell, 51, who died Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, at his home after a long battle with cancer, will be at 2 p.m. today at First Baptist Church in Purvis with the Rev. Bill Wright officiating.

Burial will follow at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery in Hattiesburg under the direction of St. Stephens Funeral Home in St. Stephens, Ala.

Visitation will be from noon until service time today at the church.

Mr. Hollowell was born May 17, 1961, in Natchez, the son of James Freeman Hollowell and Martha Tucker Hollowell. He attended the University of Mississippi and graduated with a bachelor of science in education and a master’s in history. He also obtained a master’s in Biblical languages from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He worked as a teacher, coach and pastor.

Mr. Hollowell was a member and Sunday school teacher of First Baptist Church Purvis.

He was preceded in death by his father; one brother, James Mark Hollowell; and grandparents, Willie Ray Sasser and Susan Tucker Sasser.

Survivors include his wife, Teresa Southern Hollowell; two sons, Elijah Hollowell and Michael Hollowell; his mother of Pearl; two brothers, David Hollowell of Pearl and Donnie Hollowell of Natchez; one sister, Susan Hollowell of Pearl; and a number of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 246, Purvis, MS 39475 or Homes of Hope, 344 Harold Tucker Road, Purvis, MS 39475.