Kelly Mccullough Hollins

Kelly McCullough Hollins of Decatur, age 60, passed away January 28, 2019. He was a loving husband and father who will be deeply missed. Born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Kelly moved to Atlanta to join Gwyn, the love of his life. He worked as an independent stock investor. Kelly and Gwyn met 41 years ago as college students in Virginia while Kelly was attending Washington and Lee University and Gwyn was attending Hollins University. They were preparing to celebrate their 33rd wedding anniversary in February this year. Both Kelly and Gwyn majored in history and shared a lifelong interest in and enjoyment of historical events and locations. They connected immediately when they met, as Gwyn had just returned to the US after spending three years living in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, which was not far from Coventry, Warwickshire, where Kelly’s great-great grandfather was a watch manufacturer. They’ve supported and loved each other ever since and Gwyn never tired of Kelly’s stories. Kelly enjoyed fine fountain pens, a good single malt Scotch or Bourbon, a Braves game, and with his always curious and inquiring mind, reading and learning new things that he could share with his family. He preferred writing all his lists and notes by hand, with high quality pencils, in Field Notes books and leather-bound planners. He resisted carrying a cell phone until just a couple years ago, but once he started texting, he used lots of emojis. He always exclusively wore Levi’s 501 jeans and he had a pair (or three) of custom cowboy boots expressing his connection to his mother’s Texan family roots. He found great pleasure in feeding birds in the front yard, growing native azaleas, planting trees, and sharing his life with the family cats and parakeets. Kelly was a United States Chess Federation member and played tournament chess when he was young and then with his sons, after teaching them how to play. He ran chess clubs and teams at Winnona Park Elementary, Glenwood 4/5 Academy, and Renfroe Middle School in City of Decatur. Beyond all this, however, he had two deeper passions in life. The first was music. He preferred rock and blues, but he also enjoyed bluegrass, Celtic music, and the occasional classical piece, all played with high sound quality on excellent speakers. He never stopped exploring and enjoying new music, but his favorite band was always Led Zeppelin, which he first listened to when he was 12. He collected every Led Zeppelin record, DVD, bootleg, book, and article that he could get his hands on, all while faithfully following his hero, Robert Plant. Gwyn has attended more concerts with Kelly than she can remember. The second of Kelly’s true passions was being a father to his sons. In that responsibility, Kelly found his greatest fulfillment. He shared his enjoyment of collecting with his son Harper, and he supported Harper’s cardistry and growing collection of playing cards. Kelly shared his love of history and passion for music with his son Alexander, who is now majoring in Popular and Commercial Music at Loyola University New Orleans. Alexander also plays guitar and sings in his band The Canarys. Both of Kelly’s sons shared his love of Braves baseball and they both love telling stories, just like their father. Kelly was preceded in death by his father Harry Muth Hollins who was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Calcasieu Parish for 16 years. He is survived by his wife, Gwyn LeDuke Hollins of Decatur; sons, Arthur Alexander Hollins and Harper McCullough Hollins of Decatur; mother, Caroline Skipper Hollins, and sister, Virginia Hollins Webb both of Lake Charles, Louisana. If you wish to send a donation in Kelly’s memory you can consider supporting the Atlanta Rock and Blues Camp which has been a great home for the whole family. Kelly also supported the Southern Poverty Law Center, Washington and Lee University, and Loyola University New Orleans. A funeral service for Mr. Hollins will be Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 2:00 PM in the A.S. Turner and Sons Chapel. Interment will be in the Historic Decatur City Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, February 8, 2019 from 5:30-8 PM at the funeral home. A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory.