Obituary of Helen H. Holland

Helen H. Holland of Chapel Hill, NC, died peacefully at her home on Monday, February 6, 2023. She was born on August 22, 1924, the daughter of Ray Leon Horrell and Gertrude Price Horrell of Harnett County, NC.

After graduating from high school, Mrs. Holland attended Louisburg College, and soon thereafter met Murry W. Holland of Sampson County, NC. They were married in 1949. Helen and Murry set out on an adventurous life that led them to Chapel Hill, NC, in 1954, where Dr. Murry W. Holland would become an educator and a dentist. Dr. Murry Holland passed away in 2005.

Dr. and Mrs. Holland raised three sons, built a successful dental practice, and invested in real estate. Mrs. Holland enjoyed her many relationships within the UNC School of Dentistry, University Baptist Church, and numerous community groups in Chapel Hill.

Mrs. Holland loved to talk about her love of real estate and play Bridge with her friends. She never wavered from her love of the Tar Heels and was a Rams Club Member and Donor for 46 years. These were just a few of her favorites, but she enjoyed a good meal with her family above all else.

Mrs. Holland is survived by her three sons, Kenneth W. Holland (Kathy Holland), M. Wayne Holland, and Lantz R. Holland (Janine Holland), and seven grandchildren, Helen Avis (M. Scott Avis), Brittany Strowd (Trai Strowd), Kyle Holland (Brigitte Holland), Christina Glen, Courtney Fearrington (Jason), Daniel Holland, and Houston Holland. Mrs. Holland also had five great children: Grace, Sawyer, Merit Avis, and Waylon and Riley Fearrington.

Her family would like to express their gratitude towards Southern Comfort Home Care and The Cedars of Chapel Hill for all their exceptional care of Mrs. Holland over the past year. Special recognition goes out to Jennifer, Stephanie, Makala, Delores, and Steven.

Thank you most of all to M. Wayne Holland, who promised his Father that he would always take care of his Mother. Wayne has more than kept his promise every day for the past 18 years with constant love and dedication.

A private graveside service will be held Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 10:00 am at the Chapel Hill Cemetery. A memorial service, followed by a reception, will be held at 11:30 am Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at University Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, NC. Rev. Dr. Paul C Burgess and Rev. Dr. Mitchell Simpson will preside.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the University Baptist Church Building Fund, 100 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514, or to The Dr. Murry Holland & Helen Holland Award in Prosthodontic Dentistry, C/O The Dental Foundation of North Carolina, UNC Adams School of Dentistry, 1090 First Dental Building, CB 7450 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450. Go.unc.edu/giveholland

Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is in charge of arrangements.