Wilma "Faye" Hollaway

Wilma “Faye” (Barker) Hollaway, loving wife, mother and grandmother, age 90, of Alliance, Ohio passed away on January 9, 2026.

Faye was born on September 1, 1935, to Arlie Barker and Nancy (Collins) Barker in Pedro, Ohio. While in elementary school she and her family moved to Alliance where she met Rudolph “Rudy” Hollaway. They became childhood sweethearts starting in the 5th grade and dated throughout high school, later marrying in 1958. They had a loving home where they raised two daughters, Stacey and Amy, and welcomed countless others who came to live with them or share a meal in their home over the years. Faye was very proud to be promoted to the role of Grandmother and cherished time with her granddaughters.

After Faye graduated from Alliance High School in 1953, she went on to major in Chemistry at Mount Union College (currently, The University of Mount Union). After graduating from Mount Union in 1957 she continued her studies in Chemistry at Western Reserve University, (currently, Case Western Reserve University), where she received a Master’s in Science in 1958. Upon graduation, Faye was offered a teaching position at her Alma Mater, Mount Union, where she taught Chemistry for the next 43 years (1958-2001). During her tenure there, she went back to school and in 1984, she received her PhD with her Dissertation entitled, “Chromium (II) Reductions of the Monomeric Phenylgly-Oxylato Complexes of Pentaamminecobalt (III) and Pentaaquochromium (III)” from Kent State University all while teaching fulltime and raising a family. Faye was later promoted to full professor and eventually became the first woman to Chair the Chemistry Department at Mount Union. While at Mount Union she served on many committees and took on many roles including serving as Marshal of the Faculty where she carried the Ceremonial Mace at Commencement Ceremonies. She was awarded the status of Faculty Emerita in 2002. On occasion, she also taught Chemistry in summer school to Kent State University’s nursing students in East Liverpool. After retirement, she continued her passion for teaching and mentoring by tutoring students of all ages, from high school math and chemistry to adult GED students; and mentoring promising students in their pursuits of post graduate degrees.

Faye was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church of Alliance since 1952 becoming an Emeritus Member in 2017. To say she was an active member throughout this time is an understatement. She served on numerous committees and served as member and/or the Chair of the Diaconate for over 15 years. Taking communion to those members who were unable to attend church and spending time in the kitchen with other women (and a few men) of the church preparing funeral meals were some of her fondest memories.

Besides her service to her church, she served the community in other ways which included serving as a board member of the Ryan White Program and the Mabel Hartzell Historical Home where she also gave tours and helped with children’s activities.

Faye loved antiquing, gardening and reading. She was an avid tennis, golf and football fan, frequently cheering on the Mount Union Purple Raiders where she was a longtime season ticket holder. She also enjoyed playing games like Sequence and especially Rummikub, which she played up to a few days before her passing, winning her last game.

Above all else, she loved her family, family meals, game time, and annual family reunions. She loved having everyone gathered together to share meals and stories.

She is survived by her two daughters, Dr. Stacey Hollaway (Frank Galletta) of Lousiville and Attorney Amy Hollaway of Lakewood; sister, Eleanor (N. Arthur) Zimmerman of Decatur, Georgia; granddaughters, Dana Galletta (fiancé Alberto Gonzales) of Canton and Tessa Galletta of Rocky River; and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Rudy; her sister, Madge Delores (Carl) Weigel; brothers, Lloyd E. (Evelyn) Barker, Arlie Jr (Margaret) Barker, Virgil (Pearl) Barker, Stanley Chester Barker; sister-in-law, Jane (Rod) Russin; and a niece and two nephews.

The family would like to thank the following health care professionals for their support, loving care and kindness: the staff of The Orchards of Alliance, Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care and Helping Hands Senior Care, especially Kristen.

Calling hours for Faye will be held on January 24, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of Alliance, 1659 W. State Street, Alliance, Ohio 44601 from 9:30-11:30 A.M. immediately followed by a funeral service with livestream (fbcalliance.com) at 11:30 am. Faye will be interred at Highland Memorial Park (264 S. 12th St., Beloit, Ohio) immediately following the funeral.

The family suggest that any donations in her memory be made in her name to either the First Baptist Church of Alliance at 1659 W. State Street, Alliance, Ohio 44601 or the Mount Union Fund, a fund that Faye supported for nearly 40 years, University of Mount Union at 1972 Clark Ave., Alliance, Ohio 44601.