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Celebrating the life of
Estelle Holland
April 13, 1923 - May 24, 2024
![Estelle Holland](/assets/img/obits/Holland_EstelleOBIT.jpg)
Estelle Florence Shellnutt Holland was born April 13, 1923, in Statesboro, Georgia, the second of four girls with one older brother. Estelle was active in sports, particularly basketball and swimming, but loved to dance. She and her sister Nora, entering various contests, danced their way all over Bulloch County. Daddy did not allow the girls to date, but they could bring everyone over and dance in the living room. Estelle said they kept wearing out the rugs, and Daddy kept buying more. Mother would cook feasts each weekend for the group. Estelle decided early she wanted to work in hospitality and took part-time jobs after school and weekends as a PBX operator. Until age 65, she was on telephones and worked as a receptionist. When Estelle was 17, the family got a surprise when Bobbie was born. Then Brenda arrived in 1945. Rufus Lee (“R. L.”) Holland, the love of Estelle’s life, came home from the Navy in 1947. They married and settled in Savannah. In his early thirties, R. L. was stricken with a rheumatoid condition, and shortly afterward, they found out they were expecting their one and only child Randell Lee (“Randy”). R. L. survived six heart attacks, but the seventh took his life in 1974 at the age of 54. Randy passed away in his early fifties. R. L. and Estelle were involved in church during their entire marriage at Robert McIntyre Methodist Church in Savannah as charter members and then Snellville First United Methodist Church. After retirement at age 65, Estelle and her sister Betty traveled extensively, booking a tour with every opportunity. At age 88, Estelle was still line dancing at church with the Primetimers. In her nineties, she suffered many falls and went through four major surgeries in five years. She was a star pupil in rehab. At the age of ninety-five, Estelle made the decision to leave her home of fifty years and go into assisted living. At Estelle’s request, her sister Bobbie stepped in to manage her care. She celebrated both her 100th and her 101st birthdays while in care. She passed away on May 24, 2024, at The Oaks in Tucker, Georgia, after digestive complications. A life well-lived, a well-lived life. So, Grannie, go to heaven a-shouting, as much as a Methodist allows herself to shout. We know where you and R. L. are – dancing on the Rug that will never wear out. Estelle was pre-deceased by her parents Barney W. Shellnutt and Idell Smith Shellnutt of Statesboro, Georgia; brother B. W. Shellnutt who died in World War II; sister Leona S. Cash of Homestead, Florida; sister Betty S. Manuel of Allendale, South Carolina; sister Nora S. Stewart of Plano, Texas; and son Randell Lee Holland of Snellville, Georgia. She is survived by two sisters, Bobbie F. Shellnutt of Brookhaven, Georgia, and Brenda S. Nash (Bill) of Brooklet, Georgia; and beloved nieces and nephews. Estelle is also mourned by the numerous friends, neighbors, fellow retirement community residents, and caregivers she so lovingly befriended. She is laid to eternal rest at Hillcrest Abby Memorial Park in Savannah, Georgia.
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
- Burial
- 11:00am on Fri, June 28, 2024
- Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park
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1600 Wheaton Street (map)
Savannah GA 31404 - 912-234-3458