Tuwanna Holloman

District Elder James A. Gaddis - Eulogist 

The Life Story of Tuwanna Holloman

Tuwanna Holloman was born on Wednesday, December 14, 1966 on a cold winter day in Chicago, IL to Mary Joyce (Strong) and Charles Chester Holloman.  She was a bouncing baby girl that made her parents exude happiness and smile.  Tuwanna is sleeping awaiting the coming of the Lord.  Welcoming her arrival are: her parents, brother (Charles Tyrone), maternal grandparents-Loree (Richard) Spencer, paternal grandparents-Lue Mattie (Ellis) Rainey, maternal and paternal great-grandparents and special great aunt and uncle Emmitt (Corrine) Holloman. She departed this life on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 7:24am at Prairie Oasis Rehab Facility in South Holland, IL an hour and fifteen minutes after her loving sister called to check her early morning status.  

Tuwanna, often called “Wannie” attended Joliet Public Schools Dist. 86 (Forest Park Elementary, Taft Elementary and Gompers Junior High School).  After graduating from 8th grade, she went on to attend Joliet East High School for her Freshmen and Sophomore years and then, Joliet West High School her Junior and Senior years where she graduated and received her diploma.  After graduation, Tuwanna was accepted into the registered nursing program at Joliet Junior College, but had to withdraw for personal reasons.  She immediately switched her major, followed her heart and registered for barber college.  Tuwanna could work magic with a pair of shears, a pressing comb, some curling irons and rattail comb.   Her passion for beautification and enhancing a person’s natural beauty was evident and electrifying.  She attended and successfully graduated from Moler Barber College in Joliet, IL and Dudley Beauty College in Chicago, IL.  

As for Tuwanna, being a “hairstylist” was much more than just hair, it was about making people feel confident, beautiful/handsome and fabulous.  Appointments were never just routine, they were moments of laughter, deep connection and healing conversations.  Tuwanna was definitely a stylist, but a counselor as well.  She had a rare, effortless talent for listening, and an infectious joy that warmed every room she was in.  She took great pride in mentoring other stylists helping to elevate the beauty community.

For 19 years Tuwanna was the proud proprietor of Style City Beauty Salon located in Joliet, IL where she created a welcoming, joyful, relaxing space for both clients and colleagues.  She brought that same vibrant creativity and spirit with exquisite taste, love meticulousness, care to everything she did.  She was a master hairstylist, sleek barber, esthetician, creative visionary and beloved friend to everyone that sat in her styling chair.  

Beyond her talents with styling tools and scissors, Tuwanna loved shopping and creating new fashions.  She was a “fashionista!”  She enjoyed and loved creating atypical fashion wear.  Her passion was designing creative eye-catching millinery items that matched her exquisite clothing.  Tuwanna was always dressed to impress every time she walked out the house.   

Besides being a hairstylist, she attended, modeled and competed in hair shows locally and across the United States.  Tuwanna loved to cook; therefore, she cooked delicious cakes and meals and was always willing to provide someone with a hot tasty meal.  Additionally, traveling was something she loved to delve into every chance there was an opportunity.  She traveled nationally and internationally whether she drove, flew, took an Amtrak train or cruise, she enjoyed her vacation time.  In her lifetime, Tuwanna took a total of 17 cruises on God’s beautiful oceans.

She was a devoted, dedicated and life-long member of Greater Bible Way Apostolic Temple in Joliet, IL where she was baptized in Jesus Name and filled with the precious gift of the Holy Ghost under the auspice of the late Apostle Samuel Allen Sr. She served faithfully in many departments at the temple.  Tuwanna was: a choir member and director, kitchen committee member, upkeep captain, the pastoral care chairperson and fundraiser organizer.  She served and assisted until her health restricted her from doing so.

Tuwanna was a passionate, caring and loving woman that had a tremendous love for children. Although she did not birth children, she mentored and welcomed children into her home.  She loved the children and the children reciprocated and loved her back.  She nurtured them and treated them all as if they were her very own.

Tuwanna leaves a legacy of love: her loving, caring, devoted and only sister Tertia, loving brother Christopher, loving and caring step-mother Teresa.  Uncles: Roosevelt (Loyce) Holloman, Elvis “Butchie” Rainey, and Stanley Spencer.  Nieces: Jessica, Tyreeca, and Christiana Holloman.  Nephews: Tyrone and Carlos (Krystal).  Great-nephews: Ronald Jr., Tyrone Jr., Tobias, and Tyair. Great-nieces: Jaleesa, Jaela and Dallas. Bonus sisters: LaTherese, Tiffany, and Samantha Allen.  Cultivated and reared as her sons: Orlando Jones, Shade Jones and Sylvester Young.  Bonus grand-children: Jaden, Sadayia, Shade Jr., Amir, A’Shaunti, Marcus, Marlon, Marvin, Sylvester and Miyah.  One sister-in-law: Rosie (Charles-deceased) Holloman.  Special loving friends: Charlotte Autman, Mittchelena Meade and Brenda Stone.  Special cousins: Rufus (Bobbi) Millsap and Cynthia “Lady Bug” Holloman, god-daughter: Patrese Stewart, a host of cousins, friends, former clients and her Greater Bible Way Apostolic Temple church family.

The family would like to extend special thanks to: Dr. P. Sikand, Dr. D. Rupp, Dr. M. Speyer, Dr. J. Gruft, the nursing staffs at Victorian Village Rehab Center, Symphony of Hanover Park Rehab, and Lakewood Rehab, and special homemaker Lisa-from Destiny Healthcare.

Her legacy will continue, her life will forever be remembered, cherished and celebrated by those who knew, loved and appreciated her.  Tuwanna may not be walking the face of the earth any longer, but she will never be forgotten and continue to be in our hearts as long as we live.

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