Obituary for Earl Leonard Holland
Earl Holland, 90, of Franklin went home to be with the Lord, Saturday January 14, 2023.
Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Leonard John Holland and Clara Belle Arnold Holland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Crisp Holland; sisters, Eunice Queen, Hazel Wentz; brother, Hyman Holland; brothers-in-law, Ernest Dendy and Ted Queen.
Earl was a member of Sugarfork Baptist Church for 59 years, where he served as the Adult Men’s Sunday School teacher, member of the building and grounds committee, as well as the counting committee. Mr. Holland was a veteran by serving his country in the US Army (1953-55) and a member of the American Legion. He was also a former member of the board of directors for the Cullasaja Gorge Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Earl worked for Macon Program for Progress, helping build homes for 146 families. Later he started his own business, “Earl Holland Builders”, and built many more houses. He enjoyed gardening, camping, cutting trees, and selling firewood. At 89 years old, he climbed up in his dump truck and swept it out. He was a strong man that worked hard because he enjoyed working, he had a great sense of humor and always had a smile for everyone. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Earl loved the Lord Jesus Christ and continued to read chapters of the Bible each morning. He raised his children in church and demonstrated the value of hard work and love in his family. He loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed hunting rabbits, grouse, squirrels, turkey, groundhog, and deer. He also enjoyed trout fishing and could be found along the Cullasaja River or Cliffside Lake multiple days of the week during fishing season. He spoke often of his friends, family, and his “buddies” at breakfast at Hardees’. He experienced the blessings of God throughout his life and was a great example to everyone. He is now reunited with his wife, Margaret, whom he missed dearly.
Mr. Holland is survived by his daughters, Becky Hurst (Billy), Nancy Dills (Ronnie) of Franklin, Sherry Brewer (Rick) of Franklin; grandchildren, Crystal Parker (Shaun), Michael McClure, Tommy VanHook, Holly Parlier (Dan), Patti Keener (Nathan), Jake Brewer (Amy), Jeb Brewer (Cheyenne); great-grandchildren, Savannah, Kandice, Cassidy, and Lance Parker, Cody, Austin, and Jessie McClure, Alexis and Paige VanHook, Eliza Jane and Ever Parlier, Riley and Harper Keener, Luka, Jentzen, Truett, and Ziphorah Brewer. Also surviving are two sisters, Obhdee Dendy, Ada Mae Morgan (Roger); brothers, Freddie Holland (Carolyn) and Homer Holland (Pat); seven step-great grandchildren, Maggie, Mallorie, Mollie, Alexis, Paige, Christian, Derek; two step great-great-grandchildren, and a special friend and brother-in-law, Earl Crisp.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday January 18, 2023, at 3 pm at Sugarfork Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 pm, one hour prior to the service. The Revs. Steve Reeves and Gene Hawkins will officiate. Burial will be in the Sugarfork Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Shaun Parker, Michael McClure, Tommy VanHook, Jake Brewer, Jeb Brewer, and Scottie Thomas.
Honorary pallbearers will be Richmond Crisp and all of Mr. Holland’s great grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to one’s choice; Cullasaja Gorge Volunteer Fire Dept, Sugarfork Baptist Church, or Men’s Teen Challenge of The Smokies.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Leonard John Holland and Clara Belle Arnold Holland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Crisp Holland; sisters, Eunice Queen, Hazel Wentz; brother, Hyman Holland; brothers-in-law, Ernest Dendy and Ted Queen.
Earl was a member of Sugarfork Baptist Church for 59 years, where he served as the Adult Men’s Sunday School teacher, member of the building and grounds committee, as well as the counting committee. Mr. Holland was a veteran by serving his country in the US Army (1953-55) and a member of the American Legion. He was also a former member of the board of directors for the Cullasaja Gorge Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Earl worked for Macon Program for Progress, helping build homes for 146 families. Later he started his own business, “Earl Holland Builders”, and built many more houses. He enjoyed gardening, camping, cutting trees, and selling firewood. At 89 years old, he climbed up in his dump truck and swept it out. He was a strong man that worked hard because he enjoyed working, he had a great sense of humor and always had a smile for everyone. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Earl loved the Lord Jesus Christ and continued to read chapters of the Bible each morning. He raised his children in church and demonstrated the value of hard work and love in his family. He loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed hunting rabbits, grouse, squirrels, turkey, groundhog, and deer. He also enjoyed trout fishing and could be found along the Cullasaja River or Cliffside Lake multiple days of the week during fishing season. He spoke often of his friends, family, and his “buddies” at breakfast at Hardees’. He experienced the blessings of God throughout his life and was a great example to everyone. He is now reunited with his wife, Margaret, whom he missed dearly.
Mr. Holland is survived by his daughters, Becky Hurst (Billy), Nancy Dills (Ronnie) of Franklin, Sherry Brewer (Rick) of Franklin; grandchildren, Crystal Parker (Shaun), Michael McClure, Tommy VanHook, Holly Parlier (Dan), Patti Keener (Nathan), Jake Brewer (Amy), Jeb Brewer (Cheyenne); great-grandchildren, Savannah, Kandice, Cassidy, and Lance Parker, Cody, Austin, and Jessie McClure, Alexis and Paige VanHook, Eliza Jane and Ever Parlier, Riley and Harper Keener, Luka, Jentzen, Truett, and Ziphorah Brewer. Also surviving are two sisters, Obhdee Dendy, Ada Mae Morgan (Roger); brothers, Freddie Holland (Carolyn) and Homer Holland (Pat); seven step-great grandchildren, Maggie, Mallorie, Mollie, Alexis, Paige, Christian, Derek; two step great-great-grandchildren, and a special friend and brother-in-law, Earl Crisp.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday January 18, 2023, at 3 pm at Sugarfork Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 pm, one hour prior to the service. The Revs. Steve Reeves and Gene Hawkins will officiate. Burial will be in the Sugarfork Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Shaun Parker, Michael McClure, Tommy VanHook, Jake Brewer, Jeb Brewer, and Scottie Thomas.
Honorary pallbearers will be Richmond Crisp and all of Mr. Holland’s great grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to one’s choice; Cullasaja Gorge Volunteer Fire Dept, Sugarfork Baptist Church, or Men’s Teen Challenge of The Smokies.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.