Unveiling the History: Stories of Holloway Cemetery

Holloway Cemetery is more than just a resting place for the departed; it is a tapestry of stories, memories, and history woven together over the years. Located in Luella, Texas, this cemetery has witnessed the passage of time, holding secrets and tales that are waiting to be uncovered.

As you walk through its paths, you can feel the weight of history in the air. Each gravestone tells a story, each name a reminder of lives once lived. In this blog post, we will explore the rich history of Holloway Cemetery, the notable figures buried here, and the unique features that make it a significant landmark.

A Brief History of Holloway Cemetery

In the fall of 1866, a caravan left Louisiana after the Civil War. The caravan included John Marshall Holloway, his two sisters and their families (family names Matlock and Allen), and other families from the area. They left together hoping to find favorable conditions for Confederate sympathizers in Texas. Some of the families’ emancipated slaves also accompanied them. When the first person passed away after their arrival, John Marshall Holloway realized they would need somewhere to bury their family. He donated 2 acres on top of the hill for the cemetery to be established.

According to Jess Holloway, the verbal history is that the first person who died was one of John Marshall’s emancipated slaves. The tombstone states, “A Young Man” and is dated 1867.

Jess Holloway told his family that the bois d’arc post to the Northwest of John Marshall Holloway’s tombstone was the original grave marker. In the 1980's, Alton Holloway donated the marker that is there today. The bois d’arc post is no longer there.

This is the beginning of our Holloway Cemetery.

When John Marshall Holloway died in 1905, he left in his will an additional .7 acre to be added to the cemetery. One of his daughters contested the will. His son, Calvin, knew it was his father's wishes and defended the will through litigation. The will was upheld and the property was expanded.

Calvin oversaw the Cemetery from that time until his death in 1919. His children took over and began to hold annual Decoration Day festivities. They collected donations for the upkeep and everyone pitched in to work. Most of the beautification of the cemetery was done annually on Decoration Day.

Picture of Calvin Holloway's Headstone

Around 1958 the family started talking about needing an interest-bearing account for the upkeep of the cemetery. After about 12 years of talking about the need, they established the Holloway Cemetery Association as a nonprofit entity. They started the permanent fund and decided the upkeep would be paid by the interest on the permanent fund.

The permanent fund is managed by the Holloway Cemetery Foundation, which accepts contributions and oversees the permanent fund and distributes 80% or better of the interest each year into the work account for the Holloway Cemetery Association.

Through management of the permanent fund and additions of contributions to the permanent fund for the use of space for graves, we’ve grown the permanent fund are able to provide the basic upkeep off the interest from that account.

The upkeep on the property includes repairing the roads (adding gravel on top of the original black top), added Western road, marking and putting into use vacant use on the Western side that has not previously been used, mowing 10 times per year, treating for weeds and fertilizing, and repair to fencing and posts.

The current needs include repairing cattle guards, roads need to be marked more clearly and preferably paved, digital mapping of cemetery.

At the current decline in interest rates, we will need a higher balance in the permanent fund to continue to care for the property.

*Disclaimer: These are the memories of John H. Holloway and his verbal retelling. Any differences in memories are honored and we would love for them to be shared here in the comments.