Udena M. Hollingshead of Sullivan, Missouri was born Feb. 2, 1934 in Cherryville, Missouri to Walter and Velta (Harmon) Bryant and passed away Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026 at the age of 92 years.
She grew up in Cherryville and Cuba and graduated from Licking High School with the Class of 1951.
She married Floyd Hollingshead on August 11, 1951.
Dena worked various jobs, including positions in local restaurants, at Brown Shoe Company and in home health care. After the Brown Shoe Factory closed, she returned to school later in life, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Special Education from Southwest Baptist University. She went on to teach in several area school districts, including Bourbon, Sullivan, Cuba, Londell and Potosi State School. After retirement, she continued substitute teaching.
She and her family faithfully attended Westlyn Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Later, she enjoyed fellowship at Family Worship Center in Sullivan, Missouri.
She loved gardening and had a gift for making things grow and flourish. She was a talented seamstress and quilter, often sharing or selling quilts and home-canned goods. She also enjoyed gospel music, yard sales and camping along the river near Dixon.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Hollingshead Sr.; two grandchildren, Jason Hollingshead and Melinda (nee Thomeczek) Sappington; parents, Walter and Velta Bryant; brother, Arvel Bryant; and sister in infancy, Eva Bryant.
She is survived by her children, Alice Frecka of Owensville, Missouri, Floyd “Sonny” Hollingshead Jr. and significant other Wanda of Clever, Missouri, Jean Lawrence and husband Dan of Saint Louis, Missouri, Evelyn Wiedeman and husband Mike of Sullivan, Missouri, Theresa Ruble and Roy of Leasburg, Missouri, April Caw of Lee Summit, Missouri, Walter Hollingshead of Sullivan, Missouri, and Vernon Graven and wife Renee of Bourbon, Missouri, whom she loved as a son; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren, and three on the way; 11 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Duncan Skiles officiating.
Interment followed at IOOF Memorial Cemetery in Sullivan, Missouri.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, Missouri.
