Catherine Lawton Holland

CATHERINE IRENE LAWTON HOLLAND FLORENCE, SC Catherine Irene Lawton Holland, 83, passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at the Heritage Home of Florence. Mrs. Holland was born in Orlando, Florida, a daughter of the late Joseph Cestia Lawton and Irene Catherine Burke Lawton. She moved to Florence in the late 1940s to teach at the Lillian Glass Dance Studio. She joined St. Anthony Church choir where she met Ed Holland, whom she married in 1948.Mrs. Holland was a devoted wife and mother of six daughters, and a beloved grandmother and great-grandmother.She was an outstanding seamstress, a wonderful cook, a lover of song and dance, a strong swimmer, and an avid tennis player.She played tennis seriously and competitively, and inspired her daughters to do the same. After her husband's death, Mrs. Holland joined Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church.She pursued her lifelong desire to do mission work, which included a trip to Guatemala and many years at JAARS (a Division of Wycliffe Bible Translators) in Waxhaw, NC.She then returned to Florence to spend her remaining years with her beloved family. Mrs. Holland selflessly embraced all of God’s people, blessing us all with her radiant smile, prayerful words, and tireless service. She is predeceased by her parents; her husband, Edwin Spencer Holland; her son-in-law, Robert Brewer; four brothers and two sisters. Mrs. Holland is survived by her daughters, Suzanne (Ron) Jebaily of Florence, SC, Janet (Reese) Turner of West Columbia, SC, Elise (Lloyd) Walker of Florence, SC, Claire (Chip) Corts of Charleston, SC, Natalie Brewer of Summerville, SC, and Marsha Davis of Newport News, VA; thirteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Carol Marsh of Winter Park, FL and Rita Smalling of Chesapeake, VA. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 26, 2012, at Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church.Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Trinity Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Missions, 1021 South Ebenezer Road, Florence, SC29501 or to JAARS, Division of Wycliffe Bible Translators, 7405 Jaars Road, Waxhaw, NC28173. Please sign the guest registry for Mrs. Holland at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com