Holland, Alma Hurst
Alma Hurst Holland, 89, of Pulaski passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on Friday, September 5, 2014, at Pulaski Health & Rehab. She was born in Sylvatus, Va., on January 31, 1925 to F. Clark & Rose Hurst. A family of eight children she outlived her seven brothers and sisters.
Other than her parents she was preceded in death by Gladys Kegley (Charles P.), Harless Hurst (Arlie), Woodrow Hurst (Elizabeth) , Ernest Hurst (Guida), Verta Mae Allen (Aster), Louise O’dell (Paul) and Faye Slusher (J.D). Her husband, C.F. Holland, Sr.; mother-in-law, Lola Holland; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley H. and Clyde Furr; and brother-in-law, Marvin Pate all of Fayetteville, N.C.. She lost two infant boys who are buried at Fort, Bragg NC. The hardest loss she ever endured was the death of her youngest child, her son, Ronald H. Holland at the age of 36. Not a day went by the last 21 years that she didn’t grieve for him. Last but certainly not least, her best friend who was more like another sister, Irene B. Stallings.
She is survived by her children, son and loving daughter-in-law, Danny and Sandra Hurst of Ga.; C.F.(Skip) Holland of N.C.; daughter and wonderful son-in-law, Brenda and Pete Childress of Pulaski. Her grandchildren whom she dearly loved, Kelly C. Seal (Scott) of Glen Allen, Va.; April C. (Billy) Via of Rockville, Va.; James Dustin (Dusty) Childress of Pulaski Va.; Jennifer H. Nichols (Dan); Kathryn H. Lorren (Chris) of Ga. Great-grandchildren, Hunter Page,Taylor and Tyler Seal, Lane Whitesell and Alexis Bowyer all of Va.; Ashlyn and Brooklyn Bandy, C.J. and Wesley Daniel Lorren; step-great granddaughter and grandson, Laney and Jackson Nichols all of Ga. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and wife, James and Nancy Holland; and sister-in-law Lois H. Pate all of N.C.. and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was a devoted Christian and member of Memorial Christian Church in Draper, Va. She was a loving mother and grandmother who loved doing nothing more than cooking for and being with her family. Cooking was a favorite hobby of hers. There was nothing she didn’t cook, bake or can that wasn’t delicious. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1943. After graduation she moved with a friend to Washington, DC. She worked for the FBI for almost three years. Her sister, Verta Mae, otherwise known as Dolly and her husband Aster set her up on a blind date with Carlis F. Holland. She fell head over hells in love as did he and they were married a year later. Several years later she moved with her children back to Va. She always loved helping people in any way she could. Her true passion was to be a nurse. She got a job at the old Pulaski General Hospital as a nurse’s aide. She continued to raise her four children and care for her sick parents. With the help of two co-workers and their husbands she was able to go back to school to become a licensed nurse. The day she received her LPN License and her cap was one of the happiest days of her life. After Pulaski General closed she moved with all her co-workers to Pulaski Community Hospital. She said many times working there was some of the best days she could ever recall. She loved and respected everyone she worked with. She dearly loved caring for and seeing to it that her patients were taken care of. Even after retirement with 30 years service, she continued caring for her sick brothers, sisters and friends even though many times it meant going out of town for weeks. After her daughter became ill she cared for her and her family until she no longer could. After becoming ill herself many times she had to be admitted to Pulaski Health & Rehab where she lived out the days of her life for over seven years.
Her family would like to thank Dr. Richard Williams at Pulaski Health & Rehab, whom without him she would not have lived the wonderful quality of life that she did for so long. Also, the many superb and knowledgeable nurses that cared for her, laughed with her and cried with her over the last seven years. A special thanks also to her Dear friend Inez Tracy.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Stevens Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Johnny Howlett and the Rev. Bobby Osborne officiating. She will be laid to rest by her son Ron and her sister Louise at Highland Memory Gardens in Dublin. Arrangements by Steven Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va.