Donald Michael Hollingsworth

Biography:
Donald Michael Hollingsworth died on July 16th, 2024. Don was born in Little Rock on January 12th, 1945. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Havens Hollingsworth, stepdaughter Elizabeth Gitchel, brother Cyril Hollingsworth (Betsy), nephew David Hollingsworth, niece Katie Mullen (Rich, Blaise, Piper) and brother-in-law Robert Havens. He was preceded in death by his parents, Beth Bevill Hollingsworth and Cyril Hollingsworth, Sr.
He graduated from LRCHS, Rhodes College and Vanderbilt Law School. He was the Central quarterback, basketball co-captain, and member of record setting relay teams. He graduated from Rhodes with Distinction in History and is a member of the Rhodes Hall of Fame.
His commitment to nonviolence and justice is reflected by his volunteer activities and employment history. In 1962 he appeared in a CBS News Special in support of school integration, and he participated in the Second King March in Memphis April 1968. And he volunteered for civilian service as a conscientious objector, working with emotionally disturbed boys in Texas.
Don began his legal career in 1972 with Memphis Legal Services. In 1978, he returned to Little Rock and served 18 years as the Executive Director of the Center for Ark Legal Services. Thereafter, he was the Executive Director of the Ark Bar Association until 2007.
He worked to improve the legal system and to secure the legal rights of low income persons. In the 1970's he was the attorney for thousands of handicapped children in Tennessee who were being denied equal educational opportunities. The TN Association for Children with Learning Disabilities honored him with its Special Award of Merit. He testified before Congress in support of the Education of All Handicapped Children Act. In the 1980's he was a leader in efforts to maintain federal funding for civil legal services. During the years 1998-2000 he worked behind the scenes in helping secure legislative referral and voter passage of Amendment 80 (new Judicial Article) to the Ark Constitution.
He served on the governing bodies of numerous organizations, including Ark Center for Health Improvement, Volunteers Organization for Central Ark Legal Services, Ark Bar Association, Ark Access to Justice Foundation, Faith Voices Ark, ACLU of Ark, Memphis Planned Parenthood, and Ark IOLTA Foundation. He was a Fellow of the Ark Bar Foundation and recipient of its Equal Justice Distinguished Service Award. Don was an Elder at Second Presbyterian Church and served on the outreach and worship ministries, Social Justice Committee, and RAIN care team.
Leslie and Don enjoyed traveling with friends, playing tennis and bridge, and volunteering in political campaigns for progressive candidates. During retirement Don participated in several tennis, golf and poker groups.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2pm on Friday, July 26th, 2024 at Second Presbyterian Church, with visitation following the service. Memorial gifts are encouraged to the Leslie and Don Hollingsworth Social Justice Endowment at the Ark Community Foundation or one's favorite charity. Services under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com