Obituary - Dr. Reese M. Holifield

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From the Tuscaloosa News website

Reese Maxwell Holifield, MD
September 25, 2004


DEMOPOLIS | Reese Maxwell Holifield, MD, was born on June 15, 1926 in Heiberger, AL., and died on September 22, 2004 at the age of 78 in Birmingham, AL from complications post cardiac bypass surgery. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 26, 2004 at First United Methodist Church of Demopolis, AL with Dr. Art Luckie and the Rev. Aaron Raulerson officiating. Burial will be at Bethlehem Methodist Church cemetery, Heiberger, AL following the services. The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 25, 2004 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Kidd-Robbins Funeral Chapel in Demopolis.

Dr. Holifield, at the age of 17, was drafted from high school in Heiberger into the U.S. Army where he served in WWII as a military policeman in Okinawa and Korea. Upon completion of the military service, he returned to complete his high school education at Perry County High School where he was graduated as salutatorian in 1947. He received his undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and then entered the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, AL, receiving his MD degree in 1955. He served a one year rotating internship with an emphasis on surgery at Carraway Methodist Hospital. Dr. Holifield unendingly respected and admired Doctors Ben Meyer, Champ Lyons, and Tinsley Harrison as his medical and surgical mentors. In 1956, Dr. Holifield moved to Demopolis and filled a void in the medical community left by Dr. Guy Dunning. In 1965, he established the Holifield Clinic and practiced medicine for 48 years.

His exemplary record of service was evidenced by his appointment to the staff of Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital. While serving on various hospital committees and the hospital board of directors, as well as several terms as Chief of Staff, Dr. Holifield dedicated himself to delivering thousands of babies, performing thousands of major surgical procedures, introducing arthroplasty of the hip, knee, and ankle, and establishing the first intensive care unit for the care of seriously ill medical and surgical patients in the Demopolis hospital.

During his tenure in Demopolis, Dr. Holifield received the following honors and recognitions: Diplomat American Board of Family Practice, Fellow of American Academy of Family Physicians, member of State of Alabama Medical Association, Marengo County Medical Association-past president, American Medical Association, Southern Medical Association, Physician’s Recognition Awards from the American Medical Association, Physician’s Recognition Award from Medical Association of the State of Alabama, charter member of UAB Caduceus Club, Marengo County Historical Society, University of Alabama Alumni Scholarship sponsor, Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce-citizen of the year award 1982. He was an avid supporter, fan and contributor to the University of Alabama and its athletic department and scholarship programs.

Dr. Holifield was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse T. Holifield and brothers, Julian T. Holifield, Ellis Holifield, and Davee Holifield. He is survived by his wife, Angela Northcutt Holifield of Demopolis and daughters Ashleigh Elizabeth and Emily Kathryn Holifield. Surviving children of Reese and Sara Middlebrooks Holifield are Reese M. Holifield, Jr. of Demopolis, and Thomas C. Holifield (Cyndi) of Providence, AL, Tereesa (Dr. Robert Craddock) of Birmingham, AL, Dr. Nancy (Dr. Mark Prysi) of Naples, FL, and sisters, Louise Sims of Montgomery, AL, and Eloise Phelps (Ben) of Marion, AL, brothers, Dozier Holifield (Kathryn) of Green Pond, AL, Burford Holifield (Joanne) of Columbus, Ga., and seven grandchildren, Quenton Craddock, Christina Holifield, Josh Holifield, Max Craddock, Reesa Holifield, Sara Prysi, and Brooke Prysi. Pallbearers are Quenton Craddock, Maxwell Craddock, Mark Prysi, Dr. Bob Craddock, Greg Holifield, Mike Moore, Nathan Sims, and Kenny Holifield. Honorary pallbearers are staff of the Holifield Medical Clinic, Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital doctors and staff, Brookwood Medical Center doctors and staff, Dr. Judy Travis, Clarence King, Mike Cevasco, Wilbur Atkeison, E.P. Griffith, Jr., and William Collins.