Margaret Eudora Hollier

Opelousas--A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Margaret Gilley Hollier on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Opelousas. Fr. Jude Thierry will celebrate the mass. Burial will be at Bellevue Memorial Park.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 12:30 p.m. in the Sibille Funeral Home Chapel. The Acadiana Nurse Honor Guard Nightingale Tribute will begin at 11:40 a.m. A rosary will be recited at 12:00 p.m.

Margaret Eudora Gilley Hollier was born in 1930 in Port Arthur, Texas, and grew up surrounded by love in Oakdale, Louisiana. Her childhood was filled with cherished memories shared with her two sisters and their devoted mother, a beautician who poured her heart into raising her girls after the tragic loss of their father at a young age. Despite hardship, their mother created a home overflowing with warmth, resilience, and joy.

As a teenager, Margaret met her husband, Samuel Hollier, and together they built a beautiful life. After marrying, they settled in Opelousas, Louisiana, where they raised six wonderful children. In their early years, Margaret and Sam loved spending evenings square dancing with friends, filling their lives with laughter, music, and community.

Margaret dedicated her early adulthood to raising her family, a role she embraced with unwavering love. While raising five children, Margaret completed nursing school at the top of her class in her thirties and worked for over thirty years as a nurse in hospital settings across multiple fields, including obstetrics, infection control, and utilization review. After ten years of working, she and her husband, Sam, welcomed their sixth child. She continued in nursing and retired from Opelousas General Hospital in 1996.

Never one to stop growing, Margaret continued to reinvent herself. At age 75, she began taking art classes at LSUE, discovering a natural talent for acrylics, oils, watercolor, and more. She extended her learning further at the local Hobby Lobby, attending additional art classes and group activities. She had a great passion for art, and her many paintings are cherished by her children, grandchildren, and loved ones. She was also talented at crocheting and knitting. She loved traveling with her daughters and daughter-in-law on Carnival Cruises and other annual road trips. She was also active in Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Altar Society.

Margaret is survived by her sons, Carl Hollier of Opelousas, La, Tommy (Cindy) Hollier of Opelousas, La, and Michael (Mary) Hollier of Webb City, MO; daughters, Maggie (Ralph) Duhon of Opelousas, La and Paula Arceneaux of Opelousas, La; grandchildren, Jamie (Chasity) Hollier, Todd (Stacy) Hollier, Blake (Jennifer) Duhon, Stacey Duhon Ray, Jason Davis, Jake (Lisa) Hollier, Jeremy Hollier, Sunshine (Mark) Little, Chet (Chris) Arceneaux, Dane (Lexi) Arceneaux, Skyla (Donald) Lachney, Landon Hollier, Emma Gilbert, Kristie-Lynn Hollier, Elijah Stuart, and Samuel Hollier; 30 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.

Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Hollier; her parents, Fred Gilley and Marguerite Gilley Kimble; sisters, Oona Welch and Rosie Gilley; daughter, Linda Hollier; daughter in-law, Patricia Hollier; son in-law, Ted Arceneaux; granddaughters, Kristie Artique and Brandi Davis; and great- granddaughter, Landry Hollier.

Margaret, known as Gammy to her grandchildren, found great happiness in the company of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home was always a place of comfort, where candy dishes were full, and jigsaw puzzles and board games promised fun for all.

Margaret lived a long, beautiful, and meaningful life. She touched every person she met with her kindness, strength, and gentle spirit. She was deeply loved, and her legacy will continue to shine brightly through the family she cherished.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Hollier, Michael Hollier, Chet Arceneaux, Blake Duhon, Todd Hollier and Landon Hollier.

Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Hollier and Jake Hollier.

Readers for the mass will be Denay Lachney and Lauren Duhon and gift bearers will be Sloane Arceneaux and Scarlett Little. 

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.