Obituary: Everett Leon Holland

Rev. Everett Leon Holland, age 85, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on September 20, 2014, and was reunited with his wife, Mamie, of 41 years.

He was a licensed minister and involved in church ministry for 52 years. He began his ministry in 1962 in St. Louis, Missouri, and continued there until 1994. He then continued his ministerial work in Oak Ridge, where he moved after the passing of his wife. He ministerial accomplishments included evangelist, pastor, Bible teacher, Sunday school teacher, radio and television ministries, and author of numerous Bible tracts and several books.

Through the years, he was a licensed minister with several organizations including the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ (ALJC), United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI), International Apostolic Fellowship (IAF), and Bible Way Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ World Wide (Incorporated). He also worked as a spray painter for the Hussmann Corporation in St. Louis from 1953 to 1993.

Mr. Holland was well-known for his Bible prophecy teaching, exceptional Biblical knowledge, quoting scriptures, his spiritual insights on topics, as well as his knowledge of Israel and Jewish history. He loved sharing the gospel with everyone he met. He also loved history, current events, and archaeology. Even at age 85, he had a sharp mind and could easily recite historical happenings and dates.

Mr. Holland was a Korean War veteran and served with the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, 27th Regiment, Charlie Company. He spent 16 months on the front lines, and was one of only 11 men who survived from Charlie Company. He was wounded in battle on September 2, 1950, but didn’t receive his Purple Heart Medal until 48 years later, on January 8, 1998.

Mr. Holland was born on November 26, 1928, in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, to the late Wiley Franklin and Della Mae (Gipson) Holland. He left the farm in Arkansas at age 16 and went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he met his wife, the late Mamie Marie (Newton) Holland, whom he married on November 21, 1951.

He was preceded in death by her in 1992; siblings, Alfred Holland, Wiley Holland, Howard Holland, Clarence “Dave” Holland, and Faye Templeton; and great-grandson, Markell Xavior Beasley.

He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Judy and Anthony Wilson, Vickie and Mike Gelling; grandchildren Dawn (Paul) McGee, Dale (Rachel) McBroom, Andrew (Ashley) McBroom, Sunshine McCloud, Michelle Gelling, and Christy Gelling; 14 great-grandchildren; stepsisters Patsy (Frank) Snodgrass, and Paula (Larry) Amos; former son-in-law, T. Dale McBroom and his parents, Darrell and Wilma McBroom; and many nieces and nephews.

Imogene Harrison was his close friend and companion for the last 21 years since the passing of his wife, as well as her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Randy Turner. He had a circle of close friends that were special to him. They included J.D. Franklin, Jim Brock, Gene Gardner, Jim Young, Jackie Jackson, Rev. Robert Richmond, Wanda Coffey, and David Connelly; neighbors Lou Lawson and Elmer Lane; McDonald’s breakfast friends Milton and Murlene Triplett, “George,” “Billie,” and several McDonald’s employees (Illinois Avenue location). A special thanks to nurses Robyn and Dinah, CNA staff, and other medical personnel on the third-floor rehab at NHC Knoxville who cared for Mr. Holland the last month of his life; and to the doctors and nurses at Physicians Regional Medical Center in Knoxville who cared for him the last 12 hours of his life.

There was a receiving of friends at two different times and locations on Tuesday, September 23. The first was from 12-3 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home at 1017 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge; the second was from 5-7 p.m. at First Apostolic Church of Maryville at 1723 William Blount Drive in Maryville, followed by the funeral service at 7 p.m. Pastor Kenneth Carpenter officiated.

The graveside service was held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the East Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery on Lyons View Pike. Flowers or memorial contributions can be sent to the church. The funeral service was streamed online under the live stream tab at factv.org.