Perry Everette Holland

On Monday, December 19th, Perry Everette Holland died peacefully in his sleep. In his 95 years, he lived a full and blessed life as a son, brother, soldier, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, friend, and a McNairy County Commissioner. He was amicable, funny, diligent, and kind. Perry loved his family, God, driving his grandkids around on the tractor, his barn, horses, singing in shape notes, telling jokes and forgetting the punchline, talking about his mischievous childhood deeds with his eight brothers, and watching with pride as his family grew and flourished. He was allergic to almost everything, a horrifically bad driver, quick to forget being wronged, and fast to forgive. 

Not one to brag, he rarely mentioned his accomplishments - from his service in the Army during WWII (where he demonstrated his compassion to his fellow man with his treatment of POWs under his care), raising four independently-minded children into successful adulthood, retirement from General Electric, admiration of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, and generosity to his community and church. He left us with a head full of snowy white hair, soft blue eyes, and the knowledge that he had loved and was loved. He will be dearly missed.

Born August 22, 1927 to Eber Columbus and Sula Plunk Holland, Perry is survived by his wife, Frances Lewis Holland of Savannah, TN; children Ronald Holland, daughter-in-law, Janice Holland, Danny Holland, and Phyllis Hoover and husband Roger; grandchildren Renee Holland, Barbara Holland, Brad Holland and wife Nicole, Brent Holland and wife Karen, Chad Hoover, Tiffany DeMeester and husband Brian, Michael Holland and wife Whitney; twelve great-grandchildren: Britney Harmon and husband Davis, Brady Shirley and wife Katie, Celena Shirley, Taylor Hoover, Ella Grace Holland, Brayden Holland, Natalie Holland, Ben Holland, Cannon Holland, Kinley Holland, Beckham Holland, and Easton Holland; six great-great-grandchildren: Emilee Harmon, Caroline Harmon, Adam Harmon, Luke Shirley, Brantley Shirley, Wyatt Shirley, and a host of dearly loved cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Preceding him in death was his first wife, Edith Eulia Johnson Holland; their son, Gary Holland; daughter-in-law, Rhoda Holland; granddaughter, Christy Hoover; and siblings, Loyce, Charlotte, Carlos, Cleo, Leslie, Elmo, Melvin, Charles, and David.

Visitation will be held at Shackelford Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 27th from 5:30 pm - 8 pm, and Funeral Services on Wednesday, December 28th at 11 am.