Mr. Paul Rexford Holland

Mr. Paul Rexford Holland, 96, of Fayetteville, passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, in Haymount Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Fayetteville.

The oldest of 10 children, Mr. Holland was born Oct. 1, 1918, in Sampson County, to the late Elliott R. and Mollie Honeycutt Holland.

Mr. Holland was an insurance salesman and a real estate agent prior to lengthy association with Dickinson Buick in Fayetteville. He was a member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, where he previously served as a deacon and chairman of the ushers. Mr. Holland was also a Mason with Creasy Proctor Lodge No. 679 AF&AM and a Shriner, receiving his 50-year pin. He was also a lifetime member of the Fayetteville Lions Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Elizabeth Merritt Holland; and two sons, James Edward Holland and Paul Wayne Holland. He was also predeceased by siblings, Christine, Brownie, Jake, Betty, Dorothy, Bunny and Johnny.

He is survived by two daughters-in-law, Carolyn Jackson Holland of Durham and Gail Elkins Holland of Fayetteville; four grandchildren, Dereck Holland, Patrick Holland, Meredith Reilly and Merritt Gales; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Doris Rich of Garland; a brother, Ray Holland of Wilmington; and a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.

The family will receive friends from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, at the gathering hall of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 11a.m. in Snyder Memorial Baptist Church sanctuary with the Revs. Wayne Ham and John Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, 701 Westmont Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28305; or to a charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be sent to sullivanshighland.com.

Services are entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service & Crematory of Fayetteville