Reba Nell Hollingsworth deGaris age 100 of Carrollton, GA, entered into eternal rest January 15, 2024. Family and friends are invited to a visitation at Almon Funeral Home on Sunday, January 21, 2024, from 1:30-3:30 followed by a funeral service at St. Margarets Episcopal Church at 4:00 and a dinner and celebration of life immediately following at The Bass House.

Reba was born April 24, 1923, in Carroll County to Benjamin Levi Hollingsworth and Berta Jackson Hollingsworth. After graduating from Roopville High School, she studied Early Childhood Education at West Georgia College before graduating from Piedmont School of Nursing, where she was an active member of Pi Alpha Kappa sorority.

In 1945, she was certified as a Registered Nurse (RN). For more than two decades, she took considerable pride in caring for children and mothers through her work at Piedmont Hospital, Egleston Hospital and private care for families in Savannah and Atlanta. She was instrumental in organizing the polio vaccine for the Carrollton City School District- in collaboration with Public Health Nurse the late Miss Massy and the Dental Health Program of Carrollton. She was a leader in the Piedmont Nursing Alumni Association and the American Legion Auxiliary.

For 64 years, she and her husband Irving, lovingly known as "Memaw and Papa de", embarked on many adventures with friends and family. Together, they started one of the first dental practices in Carrollton, GA taking care of hundreds of adults and children while training many successful future dentists and dental assistants. They helped found the "Flying Dentist Association" which took them around the world fishing, hunting, sport shooting, camping and exploring.

Together they were active members of Sunset Hills Country Club, St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Carrollton Cotillion Club, and leaders in the local Boy Scouts of America. In their later years, they spent many hours volunteering with local dental clinics. In addition to being a public health advocate and adventurist, Reba was well known for her amazing cooking, gardening and entertaining. She was a member of the Spade and Trowel Gardn Club and The Atlanta Guild and Auxiliary of the Church of Women.

Her absence from Earth will be felt deeply by all who she loved, but all take comfort in knowing she lived all 100 years in a purpose-filled manner. She is survived by her sons Irving deGaris, III and Benjamin deGaris of Carrollton and daughter Rebecca deGaris Woody (Nate) of West Point, NY; grandchildren Jackson deGaris (Lexie), Nicolas Woody and Jacob Woody; great-grandchildren Charlotte deGaris and Pearce deGaris; special grand-family Alicia (Justin), Jacob, Noah and Grace Ward; and several cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She will be met in Heaven by her parents; husband of 64 years, Irving deGaris, Jr., DMD; sister MaryAnne Hollingsworth Hurst; brother James Levi "Buck" Hollingsworth; in-laws Irving deGaris and Frances Brown deGaris; and life-long friends Cynthia Jones and Hazel Rhoden.

Nate Woody, Jacob Woody, Joshua Hollingsworth, Levi Hollingsworth and Jordan Page will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emory Children's Hospital or St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 606 Newnan Street, Carrollton, Georgia 30117 in memory of Reba's 100 well-lived years.

Messages of condolences may be shared at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.