James Bilbo Hollingsworth, Jr. passed away on Wednesday March 15, 2023 at the Veterans Administration Home in Oxford, MS.  Jim was born in Centreville, MS on June 2, 1945, twin son of Oneita and Bilbo Hollingsworth of Gloster, MS.  Jim grew up in Busy Corner, MS along with his twin Joe (Joseph).  Jim graduated from Gloster High School and Southwest Mississippi Junior College.

Jim proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War era, going to boot camp at Parris Island, SC.  Jim was a member of an elite crew of ordnance support that handled and moved explosives to aircraft for combat zone deployment.  Jim served at various locations in Vietnam, North Carolina, California, and Hawaii.  After discharge from the military, Jim lived in Gonzales, LA and worked over 38 years in the chemical and plastics industry for Monochem, Inc., Borden Chemicals and West Lake Chemical in Geismar, LA.  After retirement he moved to Oxford, MS.

Mr. Hollingsworth was preceded in death by his parents, James Bilbo Hollingsworth, Sr. and Oneita Whitehead Hollingsworth; twin brother, Joseph K. Hollingsworth; stepdaughters Marciela (Marcie) Smith Marks and Marissa Smith.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Melba Davila Hollingsworth, of Oxford, MS; grandson Ezra Keelin Marks, of Shaker Heights, OH; stepson Darel Smith of Texas.; and many Hollingsworth and Whitehead cousins.

Jim loved Ole Miss sports, especially baseball, basketball and football, and enjoyed discussing college and professional sports with Ezra.  He was an outdoor person who hunted growing up in south Mississippi and kept up his yard in later years in Oxford.  Jim was a man of few words, he was somewhat quiet but a great observer and listener so when he spoke, you listened--he was on target with his comments. Jim was loved by family and friends and will be missed.

Visitation will be Saturday March 18, 2023 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.  The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. at the Church followed by interment at Mount Pleasant Memorial Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3005 Mount Pleasant Road, Gloster, MS 39638.