Jearl Dean Hollifield

Jearl Dean Hollifield, affectionately known as “Jarfly,” age 87, of Marion, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.

He was born in McDowell County on December 8, 1938 to the late Weldon Wages Hollifield and Estelle Hollifield.

Jearl was a lifelong member of Turkey Cove Baptist Church. He retired from the North Carolina Forestry Service after 30 years of dedicated service. He was a member of the Woodlawn-Sevier Volunteer Fire Department for over 50 years. In his spare time, Jearl enjoyed camping, fishing, and gardening. His greatest joy was his beloved family, but a close second was his desire to help others. He will be deeply missed.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Cora Arizona Hollifield, and six siblings, Geneva Mason, Frances Hollifield, Eula Hoppes, Georgia Hall, James Hollifield, and Sarah Margaret Hollifield.

He is survived by four children, Ron Hollifield (Janet), Patty Morris (Jimmy), Teresa Cook (Lester), and Shelia Lanning (Kenneth); seven grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Donald Hollifield (Ellen).

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Beam Celebration Center.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 2, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Turkey Cove Baptist Church with Pastors Mark Hollifield, David Edwards, and Scott Hollifield officiating. His body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Snow Hill Cemetery.