Elsie Claire Scofield Hunter Holliday

Elsie Claire Scofield Hunter Holliday, 98, passed away on November 16, 2025, at Solaris Healthcare of Lake City, FL. She was born in Lake City on September 7, 1927, to Walter Franklin Scofield and Lonnie Elsie Owens Scofield. Elsie graduated from Columbia High School in 1945 and attended Jones Business School in Jacksonville. Elsie was a descendant of two of Columbia County's distinguished "Pioneer Families", the Roberts and Owens families. She was the last remaining great granddaughter of William J. and Harriet Green Owens and the last grandchild of George and Lilly Roberts Owens.
Elsie married John Bartley Hunter, Jr. (J.B.) in 1947. She worked for the Veterans Administration Hospital, Lake City, from 1946 to 1951 when she resigned to help run the family business: Hunter Motor Company and Service Station. Following J.B.'s death in 1974, Elsie continued to operate the business until 1982. In 1983, she married long-time friend, Eustace Butler Holliday. Elsie was a faithful member of Pine Grove Baptist Church where she held a variety of roles over the years. In 1987, Elsie became a volunteer at The Christian Service Center of Columbia County and served in many capacities, including Director for two of the 31 years there.
Elsie was preceded in death by her husbands, parents, and beloved sisters and brothers-in-law: Benita Scofield Markham (Nolan), Delita Scofield Nye (Don), and Mable Scofield Wolford (Kenneth), all of Lake City; nieces and nephews: Thomas George (Toby) Markham, Lake City, Walter Leroy (Sonny) Perry and Nancy Perry Rech of Miami Springs, FL, William Raiford Hunter (Evelyn, decd.), Live Oak, and Barbara Ann Hunter Thomas (James, decd.), Lake City.
She is survived by special nieces and a nephew: Linda Markham Baker (Richard), Manitou Springs, CO, Jeanne Kang Markham (Toby, decd.), Lake City, Lucy Wolford Warlick (Tom), Clover, SC, Craig Wolford (Dee), Lake City, Kellie Wolford Roberts, High Springs, FL, Sara Hunter Corbisiero (Joey Padgett), Fernandina Beach, FL, Nella Mae Holliday Richardson, and 'like a niece', Donna Anglin Braden (David), both of Lake City, FL. She is also survived by many more family members, including a host of other nieces and nephews, and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 3rd, 11:00am, at Pine Grove Baptist Church, 1989 North US Hwy 441, Lake City, FL 32055, with Reverand James Roberts officiating. The family will receive friends for visitation at the church beginning at 10:00am prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in the memory of Elsie S. Holliday to the Christian Service Center of Columbia County, Inc. (www.cscofcc.org), 421 NW Washington Street, Lake City, FL 32055 or to Pine Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 2138, Lake City, FL 32056-2138. Arrangements are under the direction of GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 S US Hwy 441, Lake City, FL 32025. Please leave words of comfort for the family and view a full obituary at https://www.gatewayforestlawn.com/.