CALEDONIA — Freda Stacy sat on a park bench in Caledonia Sunday afternoon, remembering her “wonderful, wonderful granddaughter.”
Since the Oct. 25, 2008, shotgun death of Laura-Lee Godfrey Holliman, memories and pictures — like the one on the pin Stacy wore Sunday — are all she has.
Sunday marked the anniversary of the day Laura was found dead at her 770 Wolfe Road home.
“She was as pretty on the inside as she was on the outside,” Stacy said, holding a picture of Laura posing with Caledonia Elementary School”s pee wee cheerleaders.
Laura coached Caledonia”s pee wee cheerleaders. She also worked at Gastroenterology Associates in Columbus and was taking classes to become a licensed nurse practitioner.
“She put her heart and soul into it,” said Stacy, who lives in Gordo, Ala. “She loved those girls.”
Laura”s husband, Brian Holliman, is charged with her murder.
Sixteenth Circuit Court Judge Lee Howard is considering a motion from Holliman”s attorney, Steve Farese, to change the location of Holliman”s case to ensure a fair trial. It has been scheduled for Lowndes County Circuit Court but, due to continuances, has not yet been held.
“I don”t care if it”s held in South Carolina,” said Stacy, who believes the matter is in God”s hands now.
“I don”t have any remorse. I give it all to the Lord,” said Stacy.
“I can”t hate that boy,” she added. “I feel sorry for him. He don”t know the Lord. I do.”
Stacy and other friends, family and supporters gathered at Ola J. Pickett Park on Sunday for a prayer walk in memory of Laura.
“She was a great mother and a great friend,” said Leann Bradford, a friend of Laura”s who helped organize the event.
“She was just a good person,” said Angela Jones, Laura”s “best friend,” who also helped organize the prayer walk.
“She loved sports. When she was about 10 or 12, she knew she wanted to be an (athletic trainer),” said Bobbie Spain, of Gordo, Ala., a longtime family friend. “She wanted to help the players.
“She always wanted to carry her books wherever she went,” Spain added, noting Laura studied so much her grandmother sometimes would tell her to leave the books home and study later.
“She was so responsible,” said Stacy, Laura”s maternal grandmother. “She was just a responsible little girl.”
“Laura-Lee could cook breakfast for her and her brother, (Curtis, 21) from the time she was about 11,” recalled Spain.
“And she wasn”t mean, or she would have whooped him a lot of times,” she added with a laugh.
“She was always there to help out someone in need. Today”s our day to help her,” said Jones.
The day”s walk around downtown Caledonia also served as a fundraiser to buy a memorial tombstone for Laura and to pay for upkeep of her grave site at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in the Steens area.
Laura”s two daughters — Brianna, 3, and Raleigh, 6, — also were at the Sunday event, as was her sister, Katie, 15.
After a hearing in Lowndes County Chancery Court, Brianna, Brian and Laura”s only daughter together, was placed in the care of Laura”s father, Doyle Godfrey, who lives in West Point. Laura”s mother, Gayla Lynn Godfrey, lives in Jackson.
Raliegh lives with her father, Ray Parker, and his wife, Crystal, in Columbus.
Brooks, 5, Brian”s son from a previous relationship, lives with his mother, Holly Smith, and her husband, Devin.
Brian”s parents are Doug and Sarah Holliman of Caledonia.
Brian and Laura had been married for about four years before her death.
About 60 people participated in Sunday”s event, donating more than $900.
To donate, call Angela Jones at 662-549-2907.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 39 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
