Esther Mae Holland

Esther Mae Garrison Holland was born on Sunday, October 25, 1942, in Accomack County, Virginia to the late Alonzo Richard Garrison and Lottie Mae Garrison. She passed away peacefully, on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Esther was educated through the Delaware School system originally beginning in a one room classroom setting. She often spoke about having to walk long distances everyday, but the pursuit of education was a sincere goal. She graduated from William C. Jason Comprehensive High School in Georgetown, Delaware, in the Class of 1960. She then went on to further her education at Delaware State College in Dover, Delaware, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. Esther also attended Germana College in Spotsylvania, Virginia, studying Early Childhood Education and Constructive Discipline. Following the Lord's calling, she attended Faith Bible College and Seminary in Washington, D.C., obtaining a Masters of Divinity. Esther met and married the love of her life, James Holland, on July 29, 1967. After traveling and living a military lifestyle in Germany, the family settled in New Jersey for 21 years, to be near her parents. God blessed this union with two sons, James Holland, Jr. and Darryl Holland. The family later relocated to Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1990 for a period of time, and later settled in their current home in Seaford, Delaware, in 2004. James and Esther were devoted to one another and happily married for 50 years. Esther gained inspiration from the path of her mother in becoming an educator. She said that she enjoyed the area of early childhood education because, "I could mold them, in addition they were easier to learn. When they are motivated and have a teacher to encourage them, they will want to learn more each day." The children were the light of her life and she came home nightly telling stories about her experiences. She also said about the children, "Just coming to work and seeing a smile on a child's face and knowing that I accomplished something to help them grow to the learning experience and hearing their different reactions, was a reward." She diligently worked in this field for more than 20 years in various positions including but not limited to: teacher, assistant teacher, early childhood specialist, center director, case worker, and teacher/administrator. She would often speak about retiring, but could never seem to pull herself away from her passion; being with her little angels right up until the very day of her sudden illness. Esther also had a sincere heart for sharing the gospel and the word of God to all. She was a true disciple of God, visiting the elderly in the nursing homes, senior centers and various Bible classes. She knew that the hand of God was only just a prayer away, and would fervently and zealously intercede to her Lord and Savior with faith that could move mountains. She was known as, the "little lady with the big voice", preaching to sin-sick souls as she was so commissioned to by God. She was always an Evangelist, but during her membership at New Dimensions Family Ministries, under the leadership of Bishop Abbott, she became an Elder. She often said that a title never fit her, because the title meant nothing, but the inscription of her heart spoke volumes. She didn't want the limelight, always deferring it back to her Creator. Esther had a number of hobbies such as collecting roosters, studying the Word, being a local restaurant connoisseur, especially regarding seafood, and most of all, SHOPPING. She could literally shop until she dropped. Always intending to come home before it was dark. She could lose all track of time, stating that shopping was her exercise and she really stayed on the move. She never met a stranger and never passed up the opportunity to send praises to Heaven. Esther leaves to mourn, her devoted husband of 50 years, James Leon Holland, Sr. of Seaford, Delaware; her children, James Holland, Jr. (Teyya) of Charlotte, North Carolina; and Darryl (Denise) Holland of Perth Amboy, New Jersey; step-children: James Leon (Pastina) Tingle of Berlin, Maryland, and Gracine Sheppard of Georgetown, Delaware; stepdaughter, Vonda Armstrong of Worcester County, Maryland; god daughter Robin (John) Newsome of Glassboro, New Jersey; 14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren; a brother, Edgar (Clarita) Garrison of West Orange, New Jersey; brother-in-law, Preston (Pearl) Riley of Selbyville, Delaware; maternal aunt, Helen Showell of Bishopville, Maryland; paternal aunts, Bessie West of Millsboro, Delaware and Mildred Mills of the Eastern Shore of Virginia; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Esther Mae Holland, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Esther Mae Holland

October 25, 1942 - April 24, 2018