A funeral service for Carolyn Gardner Holland will be held on October 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Wright's Funeral Home Chapel in Quitman, MS. Dr. Rex Yancey will be officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia, MS.
Carolyn was born on November 24, 1941, in Columbia, Mississippi. She passed away peacefully on October 6, 2023, while surrounded by her loving family at Anderson Regional Medical Center.
Carolyn was a graduate of Columbia High School. She attended Mississippi College where she earned a bachelor's degree in education and met her husband Benson. Benson's career as a coach took them to the University of Idaho, where Carolyn took graduate courses in special education. The couple returned to Mississippi and made Quitman their home for 57 years. They recently celebrated 60 happy years of marriage.
Carolyn was a beautiful woman, and her heart was just as lovely. She will always be remembered for her warm, kind nature and her selfless and giving spirit. She was a gracious lady in every way. Carolyn taught at Quitman Elementary School for many years and had a special tenderness toward children who needed extra care. Her love and compassion made a difference in many young lives during her career as a teacher. As a coach's wife, she was very supportive and attended all sporting events. She even mentored the wives of the younger coaches and always made each of them feel important.
Carolyn enjoyed keeping up with her special friends. She also loved working in her yard and planting flowers. She had a tender heart toward stray animals and enjoyed caring for them. Most of all, Carolyn adored her family. She was a devoted and loving mother and a doting Meme. She enjoyed following her grandchildren's activities and attending their events as often as she could.
Carolyn is survived by her devoted husband, Benson Holland, and their three children: Stephanie Morris (Mitchell), Ben Holland (Lezlie), and Chris Hamm (Jon). She was a dear Meme to her grandchildren: Blair Lee, Will Hamm, Cade Hamm, Caroline Hamm, and great-grandson, Holland Lee. She is also survived by three brothers: Billy Gardner, Ray Dees, and Mack Dees.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Gardner and Maxine Dees, and a sister Martha Lowery. Carolyn is also reunited with three very special aunts who lovingly nurtured and cared for her: Genevieve Gardner, Daisy Gardner, and Bea Portero.
Pallbearers will be Will Hamm, Cade Hamm, Lane Thornhill, Eric Gardner, Kyle Gardner, and Hugh Bolton.
The family request memorials be made to the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be given at www.wrightsfuneral.com.
Submitted by Wright’s Funeral Home
