Before Marri Holly was known as the big grey cow grazing in our pastures, she was known as a powerful show female that was difficult to get around in the show ring. In fact, in 2000, when Judge Marcus Shackleford slapped her as National Champion in Dallas, we were right there with Miss V8 716/5, that year’s Reserve Champion. Raised by the J. Boone Koonce family of J.D. Hudgins, Inc., this JDH female carried the T brand on her right shoulder.  We’re most closely linked to our cousins at the J.D. Hudgins Ranch by the Forgason and Koonce families. The T brand stands for Temple Koonce. In our family, we knew him as “Uncle Temple,” Mollie’s uncle. Sometime after Marri Holly’s show career, Johnny Joyce brokered the sale of this popular female to Watson Land and Cattle. After keeping her at the Watson ranch in Jennings, Louisiana for about a year, Mr. Hilton Watson, longtime business partner of V8, said, “Send the cow to Jim.” Marri Holly returned to Wharton County to stay, and her outcross genetics continue to make an impact today.