Irene Holland

Irene Holland, 97, Nevada, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013, at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada. She was born on Jan. 30, 1916, in Barbour County, Ala., to Robert Clayton Wilkinson and Mary Richards Wilkinson. She married Johnny M. Holland on Aug. 12, 1953, in Joplin, Mo., and he preceded her in death on March 10, 1987.

Irene was raised in Florida and came to Vernon County in 1953. She was active in the Bronaugh community with various organizations for many years. Irene was involved for more than 30 years in and was one of the original founders of OATS Transportation for Bronaugh. She had lived in Nevada for the past 21 years. Irene attended the Nazarene Church in Nevada. She worked for a number of years as a housekeeper for several individuals. Irene was an avid flower gardener.

Survivors include two daughters, Beatrice Hagerman, Moundville, Mo., and Betsy Thomas and her husband, Colin, Coats, N.C.; one son, Bobby Holland and his wife, Jean, Columbus, Ind.; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three brothers; two sisters; a son-in-law, Ralph Hagerman; and an infant daughter.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 25, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Interment will follow in Worsley Cemetery, Bronaugh, Mo. Friends may call now and until the hour of service and the family receives friends from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Monday, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

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