Paul Burtron Holland
Published 2:13 pm Tuesday, May 6, 2025
SUFFOLK – Paul Burtron “Cotton” Holland’s suffering ended on Sunday, May 4, 2025 at the age of 90 years old. He was born in Suffolk, Virginia, the oldest of four children to the late Paul B. Holland and James and Mabel Holland Wilkins. He is also predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law Hugh and Maureen Holland plus his only sister and brother-in-law Audrey Holland and Phil Beck.
Paul Burtron Holland
Cotton was a graduate of Suffolk High School where he played baseball and basketball. He carried this love of sports throughout his adult life. He was on many city baseball and basketball leagues that were played at Peanut Park and Birdsong Recreation Center. He played softball in the Church League and was a Coach for the Holland Girls Softball Team in 1982. After retirement he became involved in bowling at the Franklin Bowling Center where he was a member of the Tuesday Night Mixed league until his stroke in 2011.
In the 1950’s he became the Basketball Coach for the nursing students at the Louise Obici School of Nursing where he met the love of his life; Barbara DeJarnette. They were married for 57 years until her death in 2014.
He was very proud of his time in the Army and Army Reserves where he was stationed in Germany. He and Barbara traveled all over Europe.
He retired from Virginia Electric and Power Company after 41 years in 1994. During his time there he was very involved in volunteering in the community. In 1991 he was honored at the Volunteer of the Year Banquet for his service. At this time, he was also on the Peanut Fest Committee Board where he volunteered for several years.
He was very involved in his church, Bethlehem Christian. He was a member of the Joyce Ann Harrell Sunday School class and he served on many committees over the years along with being a Deacon and Chairman of the Deaconry Board. In 2008 he was named “Father of the Year” of the church.
He was very proud of his Lifetime membership with the Nansemond Masonic Lodge 77.
Cotton so looked forward to going to George’s Steak House every weekend to see and talk with people and have his favorite waitress, Suzanne, wait on us. He also enjoyed a good Italian Sub from Sal’s.
Cotton is survived by his children; K. Michele Holland and Lisa H. Lowe (Mark). His grandchildren; Dawn Ehrenfried (Philip), Andrew Lowe (Cameron) and Haley Lowe (Cole). Great grandchildren Ian Day (Carlie) and Ainslee Joyner; who all affectionately called him “Poppa.” Also, his brother and sister- in- law in Mississippi; Ray and Dittie Holland. Along with many nieces and nephews.
We would like to express our gratitude to the staff on the North West side at East Pavilion in Franklin, VA for the care they gave our daddy and us during this most difficult time. Also, to Joyce and Erica of Hospice of Virginia for making our daddy’s last days comfortable.
Our daddy suffered so much from the terrible disease of Vascular Dementia. He is now free and hopefully at peace.
A funeral service will be held Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at Bethlehem Christian Church with the Rev. Lafayette “Mugsy” Wilkins officiating. Burial with Masonic rites will follow in the church cemetery. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 1 – 2 p.m. at the church. Memorial donations may be made to Bethlehem Christian Church or the Dementia Society of America. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.