Gay Hollin

Gay Nell Hollin (Watts), 89, Bay Port, MI, crossed over on August 3, 2024 from Kalamazoo, MI. Cause of death was a tired heart.

Gay Nell Hollin(Watts), 89, was born at home outside of Birmingham, Alabama on December 28, 1934 to Walter and Minnie Watts. As the oldest daughter of five, she was tasked to take on household and sibling duties at a young age and through out high school, all the while achieving high grades in school. At the age of 10, Gay Nell moved with her parents to Lynch, Kentucky near Cumberland Gap where she spent her last school years studying, having fun with her friends, working and attending school events.

It was during her senior year that Gay and her friend, Ann Hollin, decided that they would tackle their class grades together and meet at Ann's house to study. One study date, Gay Nell was told Ann's brother was home from the armed services and recovering from surgery. Robert Owen Hollin was dark, handsome, mischievous and charming. He was also five years older than she. Robert never told Gay that he already knew her by acquaintance after he met up with Gay's then boyfriend over seas several months prior while on leave in England. The boyfriend showed Gay's picture proudly to Robert who promptly told the boyfriend that he was going back to the states and marry Gay Nell. It was all done for a laugh, until Robert met Gay. He knew the age difference would be an obstacle and decided to introduce himself to Gay's mother, Minnie. He courted Gay and her mother till Minnie relented and allowed them to date. It was a whirlwind romance, and they were married on May 22, 1953.

Soon after marrying, Robert heard the call of better jobs in Michigan and moved Gay to the big growing city of Detroit, Michigan where his sister and brother-in-law were already settled. It was rough going at first but they managed to scrimp and save until they had enough to start their own business in machine repair and rebuilding. Gay stayed involved supporting the fledgling company until she was able to stay at home with her two children, Cynthia and Robert Bruce.

Gay never stopped learning. She attending higher education at McComb College where she achieved her associates degree. She began studying for a bachelors degree in special education and took on the directorship of a preschool just a few years after. The early seventies brought the Detroit riots which influenced Gay and Robert to seek safety for their family far away from the motor city to the small town of Bad Axe in the Thumb of Michigan. Gay Nell volunteered in many events for school, church and community. People still remember the lady from Alabama who never gave up her accent or her southern charm. They also remember Gay for sliding into ditches. She was a pedal to the metal kind of woman in her Ford Mustang no matter the season. One year she managed to make the acquaintance of several and earned the nickname "ditchy lady".

In the mid 1990s, Gay started her own real estate business in Caseville, Michigan. Although she sold the business in the early 2000s, she stayed in real estate until 2015. Four years later, she moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan for health reasons.

fter a long life of seeking the American promise of liberty and the pursuit of happiness, Gay Nell crossed over on August 3, 2024 from Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is survived by her brother, Terry Watts, her daughter, Cynthia Hollin, son, Robert B. Hollin, grandsons, Gerrard Longjohn and Joshua Hollin, granddaughter, Alexis Sly, three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews throughout the USA. She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters, Ester Watts and Shirley Able, and brothers, James "Jay" Watts, Walter "Red" Watts and Larry Watts.

A cremation interment and a memorial for family will take place in Oroville, California. Gay requests that in her memory, please plant a tree and vote!