Martha Holland

Martha Jean Horne Holland, 93, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, after a brief illness. Born on September 3, 1932, in Itawamba County, she was the daughter of the late Relder V. Horne and Ruby Jewel Anthony Horne. One of eight children, Martha loved her siblings dearly and enjoyed hosting the entire family for many holidays and special occasions through the years. Martha graduated from Smithville High School in 1951. On September 12, 1952, she married Joe Wayne Holland. Joe had proposed to Martha at Peoples Drug Store on Main Street in Amory, where she worked at that time. Martha continued at Peoples for the next 30 years. She loved her co-workers and waiting on her customers there. She made many “Main Street” friends over the decades. In 1983 Joe and Martha opened Holland’s Steak & Fish House in Smithville. People still talk about Martha’s potato salad. Their special friends were their employees and customers.

Guided by her faith in and her love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Martha served the Lord with gladness in many church roles throughout the years. She was a former member at Meadowood Baptist Church where she sang in the choir, and a current member of Smithville Baptist Church where she served in many roles including, Vacation Bible School, Hostess Committee, Young at Heart, Women’s Missionary Union, Pastor Search Committee, Benevolence Committee, Church Greeter and Prayer Card Ministry.

Martha also volunteered for many years with Amory Meals on Wheels and enjoyed being a member of the Amory Community Center exercise group. Patient and considerate, Martha served as an inspiration for parents of special needs children, particularly children with Downs Syndrome. Martha allowed the joy of the Lord to be her strength, and she extended kindness to everyone. A devoted and loving wife to Joe for 62 years before his passing, mother to Patti and John, mother in-law to Randy, and grandmother to Johnny and Chloe, she was a fantastic cook who always made each birthday and holiday special with everyone’s favorite dishes. She was proud of her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Her quiet strength, kindness and concern for others will continue to inspire her family and all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Joe; sisters: Marion McWhirter, Marcelle Medley, Jimmie Little, Linda Cadden and brother, Jerry Horne. Survivors include her daughter, Patti Leigh Holland Parker (Randy); and son, John David Holland, all of Smithville; grandchildren, John Wayne Parker and Chloe Rachel Parker Maynard (Jacob); brother, Jack Horne; and sister, Carolyn Murphy.

Visitation will be from 12:30 – 2:00 PM with service to follow on Saturday, November 29 at Smithville Baptist Church. Burial to follow at Young Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be the Deacons of Smithville Baptist Church. 

Memorials may be given to Smithville Baptist Church, PO Box 52, Smithville, MS 38870.

Memories and Condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com.