Grace Sullivan Holland, age 87 of Athens, went to her eternal home in Heaven on January 6, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Grace was born on April 4, 1935, to John Ellsworth Sullivan and Annie Laura Bridges Sullivan in Mashulaville, MS.
Grace is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of almost 51 years Richard (Dick) Holland, brothers Clyde Sullivan, John Raymond Sullivan, Frank Sullivan, Bill Sullivan, Roy Sullivan, Eugene Sullivan and sisters Katherine Wallace, Roxie Pogue and Ruth James.
A member of First Baptist Church Athens for over 60 years, Grace served as church librarian for 50 years and sang alto in the church choir. She was instrumental in helping other Southern Baptist churches in the area start libraries. In addition to being a great mother to her 3 daughters, Grace also worked as librarian at Owens Jr. High then worked as an assistant for the Special Reading programs at Owens and West Limestone for many years. Grace loved reading and she also liked to sew and cook. She and Richard traveled frequently across the United States and took several trips to other countries. She also had a heart for missions as a member of the Women’s Missionary Union and went on several mission trips with her church.
Grace is survived by daughter Jean Holland Thomas (David) and granddaughters Laura Thomas Yau (Doug) and Amanda Thomas Killough (Patrick) and great-grandson Isaac Yau of Charlotte, NC; daughter Jill Holland Widner and grandson Dale Greer of Athens and great-granddaughter Victoria Galloway of Knightdale, NC; and daughter Judi Holland of Muscle Shoals, AL.
Visitation will be at Limestone Chapel on Wednesday, January 11th, 2023, from 12:00-1:45pm
Funeral will be at Limestone Chapel on Wednesday, January 11th, 2023, at 2:00pm officiated by Joel Carwile and Edwin Jenkins. followed by burial at Roselawn Cemetery. Pallbearers are Dale Greer, Doug Yau, David Thomas, Andy Balch, Joe Teal and Wayne Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association.
