Marjorie Lee (Dildy) Holland

Funeral services for Marjorie Lee (Dildy) Holland were held at 11 a.m. on March 10, 2011 at St. Basil's Episcopal Church with Mother Debora Jennings officiating. Interment followed at Tahlequah City Cemetery. Services were entrusted to Reed-Culver Funeral Home of Tahlequah. Pallbearers for Marjorie included Dr. Jack Dobbins, Mr. Mark Dobbins, Mr. Ken Willis, Mr. Ronnie Lander, Mr. Tommy Lander, and Mr. Ron Cox. Honorary pallbearers will include Dr. Charles Carroll, Dr. Valgene Littlefield, and Dr. Don Betz. Marjorie Lee Dildy-Holland was born on August 23, 1922 in Hope, Ark. the daughter of Clell Andrew and Lucille (King) Dildy. She attended school at Hope, Ark. then attended Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri .She transferred to the University of Arkansas to complete her undergraduate studies and obtain her B.S. in 1945 and M.S. in Education in 1948. While attending the University, she was to meet and marry Kenneth Holland, on July 11, 1948 at the Presbyterian Minister's home in Hope, Ark. Marjorie and Kenneth dedicated their lives to educating young minds to become passionate leaders for the future. Marjorie and her husband moved to Memphis and she taught at East High, a prepatory school in Memphis, from 1948 until 1954. She also taught English at Arkansas A&M University at Monticello from 1959 until 1961. They returned to the University of Arkansas and together, obtained their doctorates. Marjorie and her family moved to Tahlequah in 1963 to teach at Northeastern State University. Her contributions to the University include her ten years as the Dean of the graduate college, expanding the curricula from six masters degrees in education to two masters of arts degrees, four masters of science degrees and seven masters of education degrees. She served on committees too numerous to mention but not limited to North Central Accreditation Committee and Faculty Research Committees. She was a professor of English, the Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, the Chair of the Division of Communication, and the Dean of the Graduate School. She found time to better the world around her through such organizations as the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Colonial Dames of America, The United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Association of University Women, and the National Education Association. The most wonderful achievement for Marjorie came with the arrival of her only child, her beloved son Michael. It was to him she taught the most valued lessons of love, compassion, and dignity for all fellow beings traveling on the planet. She demonstrated her compassion by working tirelessly on programs to involve and improve the lives and minds of her students. When she wasn't working, she taught her son about genealogy. She gave him the knowledge to have faith in God and served Him all her days. She was an Episcopal by faith and a member of St. Basil's Episcopal Church in Tahlequah. She enjoyed spending time out of doors working in her daisy beds and making pepper jelly, to sell at the annual church bazaar. She was determined, strong  willed, and very independent. She lost her beloved Kenneth in 2002. She never stopped her pursuit of knowledge through books, and spent a great deal of time reading. The Lord called Marjorie to her final rest on March 6th, 2011 in Tulsa, Okla., with her son beside her. She was 88 years old. We will always remember her for her many contributions to life, love and the betterment of the young  minds entrusted to her care. She is preceded in death by her parents, and her loving husband Kenneth. Her memory will be cherished by her son, The Reverend Michael Holland of Fayetteville, Ark., a cousin, Dash Goff of Fayetteville, Ark., as well as many cousins, friends, associates and loved ones. Those wishing to express their sympathy are asked to consider St. Basil's Episcopal Church in Tahlequah, Okla.