Al Holland leaves a legacy of service
Alphonzo LaSalle Holland Sr., 98, of Roanoke, departed this life on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. He was the son of the late Gus and Dora (Saunders) Holland. Also preceding his demise were 9 siblings; the mother of his children, Susie Fishburn Holland; and grandson, Emmett Lee Lambert.
Al was an Honorably Discharged Veteran of over 30 years in the US Army and Army Reserve and retired from Norfolk & Western (Norfolk Southern) in 1985 with 45 years of service. He was an outstanding civic volunteer and community activist. Among the many organizational affiliates he served as chairman of Trustee Board, God’s House Baptist Ministry; NAACP, YMCA, Harrison Museum, Big Brothers Big Sisters, League of Older Americans, and D-Day War Memorial Committee among numerous others.
Those left to bask in and continue his impecable legecy include his wife, Sara Pettigrew Holland; children, Al Holland Jr., Carrieoma Brooks, Mary Ann Cummings and Tom Pettigrew; grandchildren, Frankeye, Dwight (Joyce), Lucretia, and Al Holland III, Pierre (Vada) Showalter and Twyla Pierce; 14 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; a host of other loving relatives, friends and innumerable admirers of his life-long history of community service.
His celebration of life service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at Garden of Prayer No. 7 Vision of Faith Ministries, 3101 Cove Rd., NW, Roanoke with Dr. Floyd W. Davis, officiating. Friends may call for viewing on Thursday, Dec. 17, from 1 – 4 p.m. at Hamlar-Curtis. The viewing will resume at 5 p.m. at God’s House Baptist Ministry, 3601 Melrose Ave. NW, Roanoke with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. Condolences may be sent to www.Hamlar-Curtis.com.
