Winifred "Wink" Long Holland

Winifred “Wink” Long Holland, 98, died peacefully at Summit Place of Mooresville on September 26.  A longtime Statesville resident, she was a faithful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend, bringing glory to God and joy to all whose lives she touched.        Wink loved relationships with her family and friends, dedicating her life to nurturing, loving, and cooking for them.  She cared for her mother and father and mother and father-in-law, working tirelessly to keep them comfortably in their own homes into their final days.  She was a glue that united her sisters close to home or some distance away.  Whether it was her much beloved husband, son, grandchildren or extended family, she seemingly inherited diagnostic gifts from her father, a country doctor for over 60 years, allowing her to unlock and inspire their daily lives.  Casting a wide circle of friends, she valued relationships with people in her everyday life.  Her hospitality was open to all.  When no longer able to care for herself independently, she was always gracious to her caregivers, adding a signature smile and hug of gratitude.           She was the youngest child of five daughters born to Dr. Fred Y. Long and Carrie Belle Davis Long of Catawba.  She was married for 52 years to Sherrill R. Holland, Jr., who preceded her in death, and lived for 58 years at 240 Davie Avenue and in her last years at Brookdale-Peachtree/Statesville Place.  Her four sisters also preceded her in death: Glenn Stimpson of Statesville; Corinne Long of Catawba; Josephine Stetler of Wilkesboro; and Helen Davis Tyree of Durham.     She is survived by a son, Dr. Sherrill R. Holland III (Jane) of Davidson; grandchildren, Elizabeth J. Holland (Phil) and Silas R. Holland (Gerhard), both of Washington, DC; great-grandchildren, Langston and Zora Holland; and many nieces and nephews.    She was a 1940 graduate of Duke University where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.  She was an elementary schoolteacher before coming to Statesville with her husband after World War II in 1946.  She was a member of Broad Street United Methodist Church for 72 years and served as a teacher for many years in the Sunday School Kindergarten Department.  As long as she was able, she was an active participant in many church activities.  She also was a member of the Fort Dobbs Chapter of N.S.D.A.R.    To celebrate her life, a memorial service will be held in the Broad Street United Methodist Church Chapel at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 14 with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.  The Rev. Dr. Michael Gehring will officiate.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Broad Street United Methodist Church and Iredell Hospice in Statesville.    Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.