Barbara Brooks Hollandsworth

Barbara Brooks Hollandsworth, 55, of Atkins, a well known school teacher in the Smyth and Wythe County school systems, passed away Friday, July 17, 2009 at the Duke University Hospital Center. Barbara was born in Smyth County, Va. and was preceded in death by her father, J.C. Brooks, her grandmothers, Florence Baldwin and Effie Brooks and an aunt, Magdalene Baldwin. She received a bachelors degree in Education from Emory & Henry College and a masters degree in reading from Virginia Tech. Barbara was a seventh grade math teacher at Scott Memorial School in Wytheville for sixteen years and for the past ten years had been teaching reading and science at Marion Middle School. She attended the Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church, where she was very instrumental in starting the after school program. Barbara was a devout, loving wife and a wonderful mother and grandmother who will always be remembered for her kind, gracious and giving nature. She loved her job, her students, animals, riding horses and was an avid antique collector. Survivors include her husband of 38 years, G.W. "Bill" Hollandsworth; her children, Angela Rash, Marion, Melissa Poe, Marion; grandchildren, Brittany Rash, Bailey Rash, Andrea Poe, Heather Poe, Erica Poe; brother, John C. Brooks, Bristol, Tenn.; mother-in-law, Golda Tilson; many special friends and former students. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2009 at the Freedom Tabernacle Church, 442 Freedom Tabernacle Lane, Atkins, Va. 24311, with Pastor Mike Sage officiating. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Resurrection Gardens. The family will receive friends Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions can be made to the Building Fund at Freedom Tabernacle, 442 Freedom Tabernacle Lane, Atkins, VA 24311. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion is serving the Hollandsworth family.