Johnny Edwin "Eddie" Jolly

A celebration of life for Eddie Jolly will take place on Wednesday. April 22, 2026 at 11 a.m. from McClain-Hays Chapel with Bro. Phillip Roland and Bro. Joseph Knight officiating and Steve Beason delivering the Eulogy. Burial will follow in the Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at McClain-Hays Funeral Home.

Eddie Jolly. 75, of the Good Hope Community, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026, after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Eddie was born on September 5, 1950, to Johnny Alfred and Johnnie Lou Jolly. Eddie graduated from Neshoba Central High School Class of ’69 and later attended East Central Community College and Mississippi State University. In May 1972, he married Debbie Smith, who was his devoted companion for 53 years. They spent four years in various locations during his service in the U.S. Air Force. Eddie was a supervisor with and retired from Louisiana Pacific. True to his name, “Jolly” he had a friendly demeanor and never met a stranger, always responding with “I’m just fine” regardless of the circumstances. With a servant’s heart, he was always ready to lend a hand. He cherished his wife, daughter and granddaughter, whom he affectionately referred to as “my girls.”

Throughout his life, Eddie was a devoted follower of Christ. Eddie took on the role of a music leader, while Debbie served as a pianist. Together, throughout their marriage, they led music programs at Good Hope Baptist Church, Fellowship Baptist Church, Linwood Baptist Church and New Harmony Baptist Church, as well as numerous church revivals. A member of Linwood Baptist Church, Eddie was attending New Harmony Baptist Church until his health declined.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 53 years, Debbie, daughter, Tracy (Harold) Blocker of Madison; granddaughter, Chelsea Rae (Tyler) Thurman of Meridian; a very special nephew, Todd (Nikki) Jolly of Philadelphia, whom he called “my boy”; brother, Gary (Brenda) Jolly; sister, Cheryl Lancaster; mother-in-law, Eva Jean Smith; many nieces and nephews.

Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Alfred and Johnnie Lou Jolly; father-in-law, Richard Smith.

Pallbearers: Justin Jolly, Josh Jolly, Jordan Jolly, Jon Willis Clay, Wyatt Goforth and Hunter Smith.

Honorary Pallbearers: Clayton Lancaster, Michael Smith and Hunter Clay.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Gideon’s International, Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, Linwood Baptist Church or New Harmony Baptist Church.

The family would also like to extend their gratitude to the special individuals who supported them during Eddie’s illness, including Meridian Oncology, Anderson Infusion Center, Baptist Andersons Hospital, Neshoba General Hospital, Neshoba Infusion Center, Cardiovascular Institute of the South, Veteran’s Administration, AccentCare and Quality Hospice.