Betty Guyton Holland

1937 - 2026

Betty Guyton Holland, age 88, a resident of Saltillo, Miss., passed away on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 9:36am. Betty was born, at home, in Cotton Plant, Miss. on October 23, 1937.

Betty remembered, as a little girl, riding the train from Cotton Plant to New Albany. Her mother, Beatrice, put her on and sat her right behind the conductor. Her Aunt Emmy would meet her in New Albany.

Her father, Walter Lynn, and his brothers owned a general store. Betty's daddy died of heart failure when she was thirteen. She married at age fifteen to Charles E. Holland, a young Presbyterian preacher from Alpine.

By the time she was twenty she had four children and a degree from Bethel College. But she wasn't done yet. Betty had another baby, EB, and a couple of degrees to follow.

Covington, Tenn., where Betty's husband Charles was pastor of the ARP Church, has a multitude of memories for the Holland family. It was there that they met their beloved Brownlee, as she insisted on being called (Otis Hannah Brownlee). They all considered her their godmother, from the parents to the children.

Being born so close to Halloween (we guess that's why) Betty loved holidays, birthdays and special occasions. She went all out on decor, gifts and memory making. Christmas's and Easter's in Eutaw, Alabama, where they served the First Presbyterian Church, stands out in particular. We have tried to live up to her flair for celebrations.

In July 1969, Betty and Charles invited the Long Beach Presbyterian Church family to celebrate the completion of their dream home. Later that year, a nightmare named Hurricane Camille visited the Gulf Coast with a storm surge that emptied the first floor of its contents. That Camille, she was no lady.

The family moved to Monroe, La in 1972 to serve Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Life may not always have been a bed of roses for Betty, but she was adamant about stopping and smelling the roses.

Betty and Charles' relationship was subject to the tides over the years. But in the end, as in the beginning, "Let no one put asunder what the Lord has united."

Betty returned to school at NLU (now ULM) and received her master's degree. She landed a sweet job at State Farm as an underwriter and ended up retiring from there. She wore so many hats before that: piano teacher, substitute teacher, organist, Avon rep (didn't do so well but we have lots of cool cologne bottles from that era), 5th grade teacher at Lyman Elementary in the Harrison Central area - her students' essays brought her so much giddiness and joy.

Betty and Charles moved in 2000 to what they called "The Ranch" in Ripley, Miss. Betty tended the gardens and Charles raised Arabians and preached at New Prospect Presbyterian Church. The hundreds of buttercups at the Ranch are a witness to her.

Betty and Charles realized, during the pandemic, that they shouldn't climb those Ranch stairs any longer and moved to a cozy house in Saltillo, Miss.

Charles preceded Betty in death on April 4, 2025 at the age of 98. She is survived by five children and their spouses: Eddy & Carla, Tim & Sunshi, Tina & Dave, Robin & Janie, EB & Frank. She is survived by four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Christa and Courtney. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, the latest being Rosalie, born in Mouth of Wilson, Va. on April 23, 2025. She never got to meet her little Rosie.

Betty was devout and loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind and strength. She also, more often than not, loved her neighbor as herself.

Betty and Charles had one faith and one hope for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. That is all we can hope for and that is all we need.

Mom, in our hearts, you are forever young!

Visitation and lunch will begin at noon on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in the basement of Bethany ARP Church at Brice's Crossroads, Mississippi. Lunch will be provided. The service will begin in the church sanctuary at 2:00pm. Burial will follow in the adjacent cemetery.

The Rev. Dr. Jody Hill, pastor of Ripley Presbyterian Church, president of Memphis Theological Seminary and NYT best-selling author will officiate.

Betty loved flowers and her doggies and kitties. She was known to pick up strays off the street. If she accidentally picked up your pet, we apologize. If desired, donations may be made to the Tupelo, Miss. Humane Society or to your local no-kill shelter.

Arrangements are under the direction of Ripley Funeral Home in Ripley, Mississippi.