04/17/2025
Tammy "Faye" Christine McDonald (Holloway), 55 of Timpson, went to be with Jesus on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas. Tammy was born in Nacogdoches, Texas on June 3, 1969, to Robert Leonard and Beverly Mae Norwood Holloway.
Services will be held at 2pm on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Timpson First Assembly of God Church, with Bro. Justin Timmons officiating. Graveside services will follow at Woodlawn cemetery. Visitation will be held the prior evening, Sunday, April 20, 2025, from 6:00 PM til 8:00 PM at Taylor Funeral Home.
Tammy grew up and attended school in Chireno, Texas, where she graduated from Chireno High School in 1987. She then met and married her first husband, Stephen Bradley Martin, in 1988. After they moved to Utah to pursue her husband’s military career, Tammy welcomed her firstborn, Spencer Cody Martin, in 1990. After some time in West Texas cities, the family of three moved back to Nacogdoches in 1993 and welcomed a daughter in 1994, Katlyn Christine Martin (Lawson).
Throughout her early motherhood years, Tammy held various positions around Nacogdoches including a position at Sonshine School at North Street Church of Christ. In 1999 Tammy took an educational aide position with NISD, beginning a 26-year teaching career in Nacogdoches County in multiple schools and types of classrooms. In 2008, Tammy graduated cum laude from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. During her tenure as an educator, she held positions at Emiline Carpenter, McMichael Middle School, Nacogdoches High School, NISD District Support, Christ Episcopal School, Timpson ISD, and Central Heights ISD.
Even from a young age, Tammy had a fiery spirit and a loving heart, two of the many qualities she will be forever remembered. Her heart, spirit, and love of learning lead her to her passion for teaching and helping students. When she wasn’t working, she was rarely idle. Tammy held many hobbies and loved activities over the years including spending time with her grandbabies, baking, gardening, mowing/raking hay, and cutting up the dance floor with Jim.
Tammy met the love of her life, Jim McDonald, at Banita Creek Hall in 2012. They had instant chemistry, and the pair married in 2014. Over the next 11 years, they would two-step their way across every dance floor or sidewalk they could. With many weekly Friday date nights and trips across Texas, Louisiana, Mexico, and the Caribbean, Tammy and Jim lived their life to the fullest hand in hand. They were devoted to one another, filling notebooks with daily messages, cracking jokes at the other's expense, and an endless pursuit of the other’s heart and of Christ. They always kept life fun and their hearts young through their passionate, fun-loving marriage and their love of the Lord.
Tammy was a bright spirit whose light will be sorely missed and whose absence is immensely felt throughout her family and communities. She had a constant love and respect for others and always lived passionately. She was a one-of-a-kind daughter, sister, mother, wife, and friend everyone was blessed to have.
Tammy is survived by:
Beloved husband, Jim McDonald of Timpson
Parents, Robert and Beverly Holloway of Nacogdoches
Son, Spencer Martin (Cassie) of Nacogdoches
Daughter, Katlyn Lawson (Caleb) of Nacogdoches
Bonus son, Ryan “Rufus” McDonald of Timpson
Bonus daughter, Kayla Martin of Nacogdoches
Grandchildren:
Asher and Ander Martin of Nacogdoches
Elijah and Silas Lawson of Nacogdoches
Brother, Darrell Holloway (Lori) of Houston
Sister, Rebecca Brown (Davis) of Bullard
Sister, Candice Jacobs of Nacogdoches
Nieces:
Lacie Brown of Bullard
Kacie Brown of Nacogdoches
Shelby and Jessica Jacobs of Nacogdoches
Keelie “Bug” McDonald of Timpson
Nephews:
Benjamin and Brandon Holloway of Houston
Robert Jacobs of Center
Bailen McDonald of Timpson
Timothy “Timeto” McDonald of Timpson
Mother-in-law, Sarah McDonald of Timpson
Brother-in-law, Tim McDonald (Magda) of Timpson
She is preceded in death by nephews, Blake Sepulvado of Nacogdoches, Jake Sepulvado of Nacogdoches; father-in-law, Douglas McDonald of Timpson; ex-father-in-law, Keith Martin of Martinsville; grandparents, Walter Henry and Emma Norwood, A.L and Emma Irene Holloway; as well as numerous beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A visitation will be held at Taylor Funeral Home in Timpson on Sunday, April 20, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Timpson First Assembly of God on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. A burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. The family requests that guests wear their Sunday country best but please refrain from wearing black, as this is a celebration of Tammy’s life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made at Austin Bank to the Tammy McDonald Memorial Fund or the GoFundMe page: Tammy’s Legacy: Tech for Kids.
