Reverend Miriam Haynes Holland

Reverend Miriam Haynes Holland

Atlanta, GA

Reverend Miriam Hayes Holland, United Methodist Retired, died peacefully on August 15, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. Miriam was born June 26, 1928 in Young Harris, GA to Methodist minister Reverend Claud Myers Haynes and Miriam Christine Hubbs Haynes, the oldest of their 3 children. She attended Florida State University graduating in 1950, Phi Beta Kappa, followed by a Masters in Religious Education from Candler School of Theology, Emory in 1951.

Miriam married Harvey Holland, a Methodist minister and Air Force Chaplain in 1951. Both Miriam and Harvey were "preacher's kids," and their fathers conducted their wedding. From 1951-1974, Miriam and Harvey traveled to US Air Force bases in Japan, Okinawa, Guam, Germany and many places in the US where his assignments took them. Miriam gave birth to children on three continents: William (Bill) in Okinawa, 1953, George in Texas, 1955, and Sarah in Germany, 1960.

Miriam returned to Candler School of Theology in 1976 earning a Masters of Divinity in 1980 and was ordained as a clergy member of the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. She served three churches in Florida: Lakewood Park United Methodist Church in, Fort Pierce, (1980-1988) St. Marks UMC in Jacksonville (1988-1991) and Wagg Memorial UMC in West Palm Beach (1991 -1995). She retired from active ministry in 1995 and settled in Port St. Lucie. In her retirement she was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Port St. Lucie, engaged in genealogical research, cared for their three grandsons, and worked with Harvey on many causes including the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Miriam moved to Atlanta in 2009 after Harvey's death. In her final years, she lived at A.G. Rhodes Health and Rehabilitation Center. Due to a series of debilitating strokes Miriam lost her ability to speak and much of her mobility, despite this, her radiant spirit and warm smile continued to shine through.

Miriam was a lifelong learner. She actively followed current affairs and brought religious reflection to them. She was a lover of justice and fairness. She brought a persistently optimistic and constructive attitude to interpersonal and social life. She approached any situation with a commitment to make it work in the most positive way possible.

Her husband of 57 years, Harvey Holland and her brother Jack Haynes predeceased Miriam. She is survived by her sister, Helen Patton, brother in law John Patton and sister in law Mary Holland Archibald. Miriam's children and their spouses, William Wyatt Holland (Mary Ann Downey), George Haynes Holland (Cecelia) and Sarah Frances Holland Eastridge (Robert) and Youngok Damen and their children mourn her passing. All celebrate and remember her life and influence on them. A memorial service will be held at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church on October 17 and her ashes will be interred next to her husband in Atlanta, Georgia. Bridges Funeral Home of Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.bridgesfuneral.com