Holland, Martha June (Kimball)

  • Friday, October 31, 2014

Martha June Holland, long time food writer for the Jasper Journal, died peacefully at her home in Kimball, Tennessee on Thursday, October 30, 2014, following complications from a stroke she suffered two years ago. 

She was born Oct. 22, 1928, in Knoxville, to the late Mary Louise and Albert Wilson Allison.  During Martha's early childhood her mother was widowed, and with two little girls to raise, she moved to Chattanooga where Martha grew up and was educated. A graduate of Central High School, she attended the University of Chattanooga majoring in business.   She moved to Oak Ridge, Tn., where she was employed for many years in government high security work. 

She married Don Holland and moved to Kimball, where they built their home and made a life.  Martha loved writing about food, collecting cookbooks, reading, travel, gardening and raising flowers - prize roses and irises, in particular.  She also enjoyed shopping and never saw a bargain she could pass up.  She loved her dog, a Yorkie named Gracie, who, in these last years, was her constant and loving companion.

She wrote the Jasper Journal food column "Cooking and Looking," for over 40 years.  She enjoyed writing this popular food column more than anything and would put her heart and soul into every column she wrote.  She loved hearing from her readers with recipes, comments and questions.  Martha was known as a fine cook and anyone invited to her home for a meal knew they were in for a treat.

Most of her life Martha was active in numerous civic affairs and community organizations and for many years served as chair of the zoning committee and also served on the beautification committee in Kimball.  She regularly attended local   Alderman and Civic meetings, making her voice heard on various issues.  Those who knew Martha knew she had attitude and strong opinions - but those who knew her best knew she had a strong and giving heart.  Martha loved her family, her community and all the people in it.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Louise Allison Newton; father, Albert Wilson Allison; stepfather, J. Lester Newton; husband, Don Holland; and son, Gary Nobles.

Survivors include her daughter, Allison Randolph and her husband, Madison Randolph of Knoxville; her devoted granddaughter, Mary Allison “Meg” Martin and Meg's fiancé, Brian Weaver of Trenton, Georgia; her sister, Mary Allison Wolf and husband, Rene' Arthur Wolf of Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico; and her niece, Anna Paccone of Dallas, Texas.

Also to be remembered is her former son-in-law, Jay Martin.  He, along with his daughter, Meg Martin, and Martha’s caretaker in sickness, Cindy Payne, were pillars of support and caring for Martha during her last years of illness.

Special thanks go out to East Tennessee Home Health & Hospice - Shanna, Lori, Snow, Lib, and Sherry – who were so compassionate in their caring for Martha.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m.-noon Central Time (11 a.m.-1 p.m. Eastern) at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.

Graveside funeral services will also be held on Monday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. Central) at Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga (St. Elmo).

In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to donate to Marion Animal Resource Connection (MARC), PO Box 153, Jasper, Tn. 37347; their local animal shelter; or any other charitable cause of their choosing.

 

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