Joe Wayne Holland

Smithville – Joe Wayne Holland, 81, passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2014, at his residence surrounded by his family. Born on March 3, 1933, in Itawamba County, he was a son of the late William Dave and Velma Maude Ables Holland.

Joe graduated from Smithville High School in 1950. On September 12, 1952, he married Martha Jean Horne. After working for various companies in and around Amory, Joe opened Holland’s Steak & Fish House in Smithville in 1983. Their special friends were their employees and customers. Guided by his faith in and his love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Joe was a member, an inactive Deacon, and former Sunday school and Church Training teacher at Smithville Baptist Church. He was a former member and Deacon of Meadowood Baptist Church. Patient and considerate, Joe never met a stranger and extended kindness to everyone. A wonderful and loving husband, father and grandfather, he was a brilliant, self-taught Bible scholar who taught his family about God’s Word; was an artist whose drawings made folks smile; and was a talented singer and musician, teaching himself to play the piano and guitar. Joe enjoyed farming and crappie fishing.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Martha Jean Horne Holland; daughter, Patti Leigh Holland Parker (Randy); and son, John David Holland, all of Smithville; grandchildren, John Wayne Parker and Chloe Rachel Parker.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, January 3 at Smithville Baptist Church with Bro. Wes White officiating. Burial will follow in Young Memorial Garden. Pallbearers will be Gary Milligan, Jimmy Ables, Jackie Ables, Doug Dean, Paul Ables, Bilbo Davis and J. E. Ables.

Visitation will be from 5 – 8 PM, Friday and 12:15 – 12:50 PM, Saturday at Smithville Baptist Church.

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

Memories and condolences may be shared with his family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are in the care of E. E. Pickle Funeral Home, Smithville.