Welcome Mercedes Reeves Holliday, 88, of Shreveport, Louisiana passed away on August 1, 2021 with her husband and daughter close by her side at Savannah at The Oaks of Louisiana. She is survived by husband Gerald S. Holliday of Shreveport, daughter Cindy Van Arsdale and son-in-law Jim Van Arsdale (Hanover, MA), granddaughter Sarah Kleberg and husband Dan Kleberg (Hanover, MA), great-granddaughter, Eleanor Kleberg. She is also survived by her grandson John Van Arsdale and wife Cori (Newburgh, NY)

Welcome was born February 15, 1933 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Elmore and Annie Eisenhauer Reeves, the fifth of eight children. She met Gerald when he was stationed at Barksdale AFB and celebrated 69 years of marriage July 18, 2021. His career with the Air Force and the Federal Aviation Administration took them around the country. Her career with the federal government transitioned through various agencies with each move. She easily made friends wherever she went and readily volunteered for roles with neighborhood associations, professional business organizations and church groups. She was courageous, generous, faithful, and she loved her family unconditionally. She thanked everyone who helped her until she could no longer speak.

A service to celebrate her life is scheduled for Saturday, August 28, 2021, at 11:00am at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, Shreveport, with Visitation at 10:30am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Welcome's memory to Broadmoor United Methodist Church Congregational Care Fund, 3715 Youree Dr, Shreveport, LA 71105, or the Shreveport Bossier Rescue Mission.

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14